Jerry Smith, center, was named the Mideast Division Associate Member of the Year during the 2025 Marine Corp League’s Mideast Division Conference held in Virginia last month. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — Two members of the Marine Corps League Detachment 1087 received honors at the 2025 Marine Corp League’s Mideast Division Conference held in Virginia last month. The Mideast Division consists of members from West Virginia, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland and North Carolina.

Jerry Smith was named the Mideast Division Associate Member of the Year and Scott Kirby was recently elected as the Assistant National Vice Commandant for the Mideast Division.

“I’m kind of second in command, second in charge,” Kirby said. “But nobody’s really in charge because we’re all volunteers. I’m the guy in the second seat for all five of those states to kind of coordinate what’s going on in the Marine Corps League within our district, working a lot with the national officers who actually worked alongside the Marine Corps.”

Kirby’s election marks only the second time someone from the area has held this position, underscoring both his commitment and the trust placed in him by his fellow members.

“I got big shoes to fill,” Kirby said. “Mike’s (McClain) done a heck of a job. Kind of helped put the Marine Corps League on the map here in Wood County, and helped us branch out.”

Scott Kirby was elected the Assistant National Vice Commandant for the Mideast Division during the 2025 Marine Corp League’s Mideast Division Conference held in Virginia last month. (Photo Provided)

Kirby, who nominated Smith for the Associate Member of the Year award, praised his dedication saying he was at the center of local Marine Corps League operations.

“This guy’s a workhorse,” Kirby said. “He’s involved in everything. He’s got the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day event. He set up the veterans prayer rally. He also does all these food drives for the Marine Corp League.”

Smith expressed his gratitude and humility with the nomination and upon receiving the honor.

“I can’t, I probably can’t tell you what it means to me,” Smith said. “It’s a great honor. It’s an honor to be able to serve with these guys in what they do, veterans helping veterans, and going to nursing homes. I went to four today. But it’s just, it’s just a great honor. I live a rough life with them, but it’s all in fun. And, you know, they’ve got my back.”

Kirby emphasized that the recognition was well-deserved despite Smith’s humbleness.

“There’s no way we could throw anymore at Jerry,” Kirby said “And it’s not like we throw it at him anyway. He volunteers for all of it. And you know, our local detachment here, the Archibald Henderson detachment, is always willing to support Jerry. … Jerry gets us into a lot of stuff, which is great, because it gives us a lot of visibility in the community. Which is what we’re really about.”

The pair said as the Archibald Henderson Marine Corps League looks to the future, recruitment has become a central focus for the organization. They said they are reaching out to veterans and community members alike to join the league.

“We’re always looking for Marines, FMF, Navy Corpsman and chaplains, but we take other branches of the military as our associate members, because the cause is greater than we are,” Kirby said. “It’s bigger than us, and we’re looking for folks that want to continue to serve. You know, your service doesn’t end when you get out of the military, and we’re continuing to look for those people.”

Kirby encouraged anyone interested to attend a meeting.

“We meet the second Tuesday of every month at the National Guard Armory on South side, right across from Parkersburg South High School, at 7 p.m.,” Kirby added.

Kirby said those interested can also stop and talk to a current member if they see them out at an event.

“They can see us out in the community all the time,” Kirby said. “It’s either the white shirts with the hats or the polo shirts or the red blazers. Stop one of us and say, ‘Hey, I want to know more about you.’ … Come sit in one of our meetings as a guest of the commandant and see if it’s something you want to do. Get involved. We need folks. We’re not getting any younger.”

Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com.