CNX Foundation Launches New Veterans Support Pillar with Memorial Dedication in Saltsburg, PA
New memorial is a tribute to generations of service, honoring veterans from World War I to present day, reflecting over a century of sacrifice and courage.
November 11, 2024
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
From the moment CNX Resources employee Mike Virgin visited American Legion Post 57 in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, he knew he wanted to find a way to contribute to the organization. As a former Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, Virgin understands that continuing the legacy of the generations who served in the past is a privilege and a duty. As his relationship with the veterans of Post 57 grew, he learned about their desire for a memorial – one that would honor the area’s history of service while saving room for future service members.
Eighteen months ago, the CNX Foundation began hosting wing nights for veterans throughout the region. It was during the inaugural wing night at Post 57 when Virgin connected with several of the legion’s members and learned about the desire for a memorial reflecting the region’s breadth of service.
“I am lucky to work for an organization committed to three core values: responsibility, ownership and excellence,” said Virgin. “All three are important, but the one that resonates with me the most is ownership. I knew I wanted to take ownership of this memorial and see it through.”
While Virgin was working with Post 57 to determine what should be included in the memorial, CNX Foundation, the philanthropic arm of CNX Resources, was establishing a new key pillar to support veterans' initiatives. Since its beginning, the Foundation has focused its support in nine pillars in addition to its flagship initiative, The Mentorship Academy:
- Food insecurity
- Children’s health and wellness
- Broadband and information technology access
- Domestic abuse and awareness
- Career readiness
- Water quality safety and awareness
- Recidivism and reentry
- Opioid epidemic and its societal impact
“From a foundation perspective, we’ve collaborated on different events with veteran organizations since our inception,” said Tim Bedard, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for CNX Resources and Navy veteran. “Over time, we realized we all felt compelled to further our commitment. Mike’s passion for creating this memorial drove us to form our eighth pillar. By contributing financially and dedicating our time, we are able to honor their service in a way that reflects our gratitude.”
The memorial is 11 feet tall and 10 feet wide and forged from U.S.-made Virginia Mist and Silver Cloud granite. Currently, the pillars are blank so Post 57 can formulate all Saltsburg veterans and have them properly engraved. The memorial is inscribed with the following quote from President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address:
The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.
The American Legion is a cornerstone of veteran support, advocating for veterans' rights, engaging in community service and support, sponsoring a wide variety of youth programs and education and providing veterans with strong connections to one another.
"CNX really helped us bring the idea of this memorial to fruition, and it's just awesome," said Bradley McClure, American Legion Post 57 Commander and Young Township Supervisor. "Our relationship started with the wing nights they sponsor and has grown over time. This memorial means a lot to this community and we are thankful to CNX."
In addition to supporting the memorial, in the last year, CNX Foundation has worked with the Greene County Veterans Club to help remodel their restroom to make it handicap accessible, contributed funds for veteran wing nights throughout the region and contributed funds for the Guardian Angels Service Dog project. The Foundation has also partnered with veteran programs to provide gifts and food to families throughout the holiday season.
“The CNX Foundation is committed to making a tangible, impactful and local difference throughout Appalachia,” said Virgin. “This memorial embodies all three of those values, and it's a visual representation of the high bar our predecessors have set for us with their commitment to their country.”
Click here to view the CNX Foundation Veterans Support pillar.
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