Marine Corps Veterans Association member Roy Trembly affixes a Four Chaplains Legion of Honor pin to the shirt of Marine Corps League sergeant at Arms Doug Bergen during a ceremony Thursday at City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

PARKERSBURG — Past local recipients of the Chapel of the Four Chaplains Legion of Honor awards, members of the Order of Kentucky Colonels and guests recognized new honorees for their service to the community Thursday.

The fourth annual awards ceremony organized by past Legion of Honor award recipients Bernie Lyons, Jared Smith and Jerry Smith was held at City Park.

The Legion of Honor Award comes from the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation, which was created in honor of World War II Army chaplains George L. Fox, Alexander D. Goode, Clark V. Poling and John P. Washington, who gave up their life jackets as the SS Dorcester sank after being torpedoed by a German submarine in 1943.

The chaplains — two Protestant, one Catholic, one Jewish — linked arms and prayed as the ship sank. Their example of interfaith cooperation and selfless service has endured throughout the decades, Jared Smith said.

Among the recipients was Vienna resident Daniel “Buddy” Jamess, longtime football coach at Parkersburg High School, who has been involved in a host of community service endeavors – so many that Lyons wasn’t sure he could get him to join the committee working to establish the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in City Park a few years ago. But he did and was pleased with his contributions.

Jared Smith, center, presents Tony Durm, right, with a commission into the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels as Marine Corps Veterans Association member Bernie Lyons looks on Thursday at City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

“This is my hometown. I grew up here,” James said, noting that he once lived near the park and managed the pool there one summer. “This town’s been so good to me.”

West Virginia Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeff Sandy, a local resident, attended the ceremony on behalf of Gov. Jim Justice and brought a message for James.

“The governor wanted me to give you personal accolades for what you’ve done for the community over the years,” Sandy said.

Marietta resident Doug Bergen, a member of the Marine Corps League and Veterans Association, was also recognized. Smith said he is instrumental in the food drive the Marine Corps Veterans Association sponsors with the Parkersburg News and Sentinel and Marietta Times and is active in a number of other activities as well, including efforts to teach citizenship and flag etiquette to local students.

“I thought it was fantastic,” Bergen said of receiving the honor.

Marietta resident Doug Bergen, center, poses for a picture with the plaque commemorating his Legion of Honor award, with past recipients Roy Trembly and Jerry Smith Thursday at City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

The third Legion of Honor award went to Parkersburg resident Becky Winans, an associate member of both Marine Corps groups. She said she got involved because her ex-husband and father were Marines. Smith said she puts in more than 500 volunteer hours a year, mostly with those two groups, including playing the bugle at military funerals.

Asked for her thoughts on being honored, Winans said, “I don’t think I deserve it.”

Smith predicted that reaction but said during the ceremony, “We wouldn’t know what to do without her.”

Tony Durm of Marietta was inducted into the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, a philanthropic organization that commissions members in honor of their service to community, state and nation. Smith said Durm has contributed “tens of thousands of volunteer hours” over the years with local Boy Scout groups, as well as school-related organizations and the recently dedicated Silent Battle memorial in Marietta. Involved in Scouting since third grade, Durm has also mentored nearly two dozen Eagle Scouts, an honor he attained as well.

“My plan is to change the world one Eagle Scout at a time,” he said. “And I’m at 18 so far, with five more in the works.”

Marine Corps League associate member Becky Winans, right, poses for a photo with her certificate recognizing her Legion of Honor award with past recipients Jared Smith, left, and Roy Trembly Thursday at City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.

Marine Corps Veterans Association member Bernie Lyons, left, presents a certificate for a Four Chaplains Legion of Honor award to Vienna resident Buddy James, right, as James’ wife Nancy looks on during a ceremony Thursday at City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Vienna resident and longtime Parkersburg High School football coach Buddy James, right, speaks after receiving a Legion of Honor award as Marine Corps Veterans Association Bernie Lyons and James’ wife Nancy listen Thursday at City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Members of the local Marine Corps League and Marine Corps Veterans Association and honorees at an awards presentation pose for a photo in front of the tank at City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

West Virginia Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeff Sandy speaks during an awards ceremony recognizing area residents who have served the community Thursday at City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)