To the Editor,

Every Fourth of July, we gather to celebrate what makes America strong: freedom, hard work and a sense of shared purpose. Here in Weirton, that celebration always feels a little more personal. From the parade to the fireworks, it’s a reminder of just how proud — and how connected — we are as a community.

This past weekend, I was proud to see so many local organizations, businesses (including my own, Howard Hanna Mortimer Realty) and families come together for the Weirton Independence Day Parade, and later, to enjoy the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra’s performance at the Weirton Event Center. From the sidewalks to the stage, it was a powerful reminder of what makes this community special: people showing up, supporting one another and celebrating what we share.

And while many of us celebrated, others in our region still face real challenges. Just south of us, families in the Wheeling area are dealing with serious flooding that damaged homes, roads and businesses. In the midst of the hardship, I saw something else that’s worth celebrating: neighbors stepping up to help neighbors. From clearing debris, to delivering supplies, to lending a hand without being asked. That’s what West Virginia is all about.

Independence Day is more than a holiday. It’s a moment to reflect on what freedom means today, right here in the Northern Panhandle. For me, it means the opportunity to build a life, raise a family, grow a business and give back to the community that raised me. It means working hard, helping others and believing in our shared future.

That kind of freedom doesn’t happen by accident. It takes strong families, local businesses, engaged citizens and people who care enough to step up. Not just on July 4th, but all year long. I see that spirit every day in Brooke and Hancock Counties and it’s what makes this region so special.

As we move forward from this year’s Independence Day, let’s carry the pride, unity and neighborly spirit we’ve seen, whether at a parade or in the face of a flood, into the months ahead. Let’s recommit to our values, our neighborhoods and the kind of community we want to leave for the next generation.

The strength of West Virginia has always come from its people. Let’s keep proving that, together.

Tony Viola II

Weirton