Friday was West Virginia Day – the observance of the anniversary of West Virginia’s statehood on June 20, 1863.

West Virginia is a special place. Born of rebellion in the midst of the American Civil War, made of a proud people who were known to live for themselves and their communities, fighting for their rights and freedoms and not falling down before authorities.

We are a hard-working people who cherish the beauty of our state and the traditions of our history.

In a time when so much about society has been built to divide us, let us take some time to think about some of the things which can keep us together.

I’ve had some fortune in my life to be able to travel to different parts of our nation, but many of my favorite trips have involved visits to other parts of our Mountain State.

From an afternoon hike at Tomlinson Run to visits with family in Wetzel and Tyler counties, weekend excursions to Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls, renting a cabin at Babcock State Park, driving across the New River Gorge Bridge, or even taking a pontoon ride from Hawk’s Nest down toward the bridge. I’ve visited Blennerhassett Island, taken a trip into the Expedition Coal Mine in Beckley, and observed the radio telescopes at Green Bank.

I’ve take a trip up the mountain on Cass Railroad, and spent part of a night at the Trans-Allegheny Asylum in Weston.

Up until the last few years, when it was decided to gather in Charleston each year, the West Virginia Press Association’s annual awards event provided quite the opportunity to explore our state. The event typically was rotated around West Virginia, offering a chance to highlight our various regions. Many years, the weekend events took place near at least one of our state parks, and, if not, there usually were a couple along my route home.

West Virginia has programs which encourage residents and visitors to explore our hillsides and hollows, caverns and rivers, historical landmarks and cultural sites. From the Very Important Parks Person program focused on our state parks to the Hiking Program where you are rewarded for hitting the trails. There’s the Waterfall Trail where you go against TLC’s advice and chase waterfalls in the state, and last year, there was the Haunted Trail campaign where we received items for visiting sites associated with the supernatural.

Yes, West Virginia is a beautiful state, with much to offer, but what makes it extra special is its people. We, as West Virginians, have our peculiarities and our stubborn streaks, we’re often known for our suspicions of unknown individuals, but we also are willing to go the extra mile to offer help in times of need.

We’re seeing that in Ohio and Marion counties right now, where it is the people of the communities who have been responding the most to the emergencies and tragedies related to recent flooding. Local businesses and organizations are working to gather donations and supplies and other necessities to help their neighbors.

It was that same spirit on display just more than a year ago when a tornado hit Hancock County, or in 2004 when the remnants of Hurricane Ivan flooded much of our region. In times of crisis, we don’t wait, we come together, we fight for each other, we rebuild as a community.

While popular culture often has made us a punchline, we know who and what we really are here in West Virginia. We are a proud people, with a beautiful state that will continue to fight against the forces which attempt to put us down. We know our value and our strengths. We look out for each other. We appreciate our culture and our heritage, even if others don’t.

We are mountaineers, born and raised, and will always be free.

(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @ChowellWDT)