From John Arnett
MCHS79, Inc.
County Judge Executive Matt Wireman has announced that the county has established an award to recognize those who have worked to improve the lives of the citizens of Salyersville and Magoffin County and to memorialize Carter Conley, the long-time leader of the Magoffin County Rescue Squad. The award was created in cooperation with MCHS79, Inc., the non-profit group representing the Magoffin County High School Gold Ring Class of 1979.
“The Carter Conley Memorial Hometown Hero Award is given annually to residents who have given their time, talents, skills and energies to making this a better place to live, or making our lives easier and better”, said Wireman.
This year’s recipient is the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15 of Salyersville.
“The Salyersville chapter of the DAV is one of 1,900 across the US. Each one assists veterans with transition to civilian life, helps secure claims of benefits for vets and their families and help out with communications with the Veterans Affairs offices,” said MCHS79 spokesperson Melodye Marshall Stephens. “They local chapter provides military color guard funeral rites for veterans, they developed the beautiful military memorial at Ramey Park and help out with wheelchair ramp constructions at veterans’ homes. They show up at every highway dedication to veterans here in the county, too. They even have an entire wing at the Paul B. Hall Community Center.”
The local chapter has more than 120 members on the rolls. The local group was founded in 1981, according to chapter Commander Lloyd Salyer.
The late Carter Conley, who founded and led the rescue Squad since 1976, passed away in September 2021 from complications of COVID-19. His lifetime of commitment to the people of Magoffin County serves as a model for others.
“We’ve previously honored our Healthcare Pioneers and longtime local entertainer Terry Miller. We think uplifting the people who make Salyersville and Magoffin County better today are just as important as the city’s founders. Contributions through civic works, the arts, volunteerism, leadership and quality of life issues should be acknowledged, too”, said Wireman.
The award will be presented during the Community Day Concert at Ramey Park on August 17th.
