West Virginia officials released statements marking the Thanksgiving holiday, reminding state residents to cherish their loved ones and count their blessings.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., Gov. Jim Justice each offered words wishing West Virginians a happy, safe Thanksgiving.
"This Thanksgiving, I encourage all West Virginians to cherish the time that you get to spend with your loved ones and honor the memory of those no longer with us," said Capito. “I know for me, I think about the wonderful Thanksgiving dinners that mom and dad had for us with my dad's extended families, and some of the funny stories, that we still tell — to this day — about, you know, the kids table and the adult table, and Uncle Paul wouldn't stop talking, and all those fun things."
Capito asked residents to those unable to be with their families, especially service members deployed across the globe, in their thoughts and prayers.
"We owe those brave men and women so much for protecting us every day, and I'm so thankful for their dedication to our country," she said.
Manchin, who will retire from the U.S. Senate in January, said he is "thankful for the privilege to serve the great people of West Virginia."
"It has truly been the honor of my life. As Gayle and I get ready to set off on a new adventure, we want to thank each and every one of our fellow West Virginians for supporting us," he said. "You have given me a lifetime of bragging rights. First of all, to be a West Virginian, but also to represent West Virginia and tell our story."
Justice, who declared Wednesday a half-day state holiday for employees and Friday as a full-day holiday, said "Thanksgiving is a time for everybody."
"Thanksgiving is time across this nation that we should be so thankful for all of our blessings," he said. "It is a time of year of family. The time of year that we don't want anybody lonely. If there's anything that you can do for someone, please do it and do it at Thanksgiving.”