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56-428: At 7:15 p.m., on September 12, 1952, two brothers, Edward and Fred May, and their friend Tommy Hyer, said that they saw a bright object cross the sky and land on the property of local farmer G. Bailey Fisher. The boys went to the home of Kathleen May, where they told their story. May, accompanied by the three boys, local children Neil Nunley and Ronnie Shaver, and West Virginia National Guardsman Eugene Lemon, went to

112-638: A state defense force , nor is there a naval component to the state's military forces. The oldest active regiment in the U.S. Army (active, Reserve and National Guard) is the 201st Field Artillery , the "First West Virginia," founded in 1735 as a Virginia militia regiment. The West Virginia National Guard traces its heritage to the 1735 militia company established in Berkeley County by Morgan Morgan. Originally formed for protection against Indian raids, militia units were quickly mobilized when necessary in war time. Militia units provided frontier service in

168-604: A Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, Jazz Ensemble, Rock Band, and several other small ensembles including, but not limited to, a Brass Choir, Jazz Quartet, and Percussion Ensemble. Located in Preston County , Camp Dawson is the main training site for the units of the West Virginia National Guard. Comprising over 4,000 acres, Camp Dawson has multiple ranges, training sites, and is home to Dawson Army Airfield (K3G5). The West Virginia Guard also hosts

224-521: A key role in the suppression of the labor revolt. Following World War I, the 150th and 201st Infantry Regiments were organized in southern and northern West Virginia, respectively. These units were federalized in January 1941 as President Franklin D. Roosevelt prepared the nation for war. The 150th spent World War II defending the Panama Canal while the 201st provided the first line of defense for

280-577: A local training sortie. That same day the wing received its first C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, one of eight C-17s the unit is slated to receive. List of decorations awarded by the West Virginia National Guard Sutton, West Virginia Sutton is a town in Braxton County , West Virginia , United States. The population was 876 at the 2020 census . It is the county seat of Braxton County. Sutton

336-508: A male householder with no wife present, and 41.4% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.78. The median age in the town was 45.1 years. 18.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24% were from 25 to 44; 29.8% were from 45 to 64; and 20.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of

392-537: A national coal strike brought miners out in the New River Gorge, and in 1912–13 when miners struck for union recognition on Paint and Cabin creeks in Kanawha County. Martial law was declared for the strike zone in 1912, and miners and mine guards were sentenced to prison for various violations. ‘‘Mother’’ Jones was among those brought before the court-martial. In 1916, the West Virginia National Guard

448-462: A series of five tall chairs in the shape of the monster to serve as landmarks and visitor attractions. The Bureau rewards visitors who photograph all five chairs with "Free Braxie" stickers. The legend of the Flatwoods monster has also inspired media beyond West Virginia. The video games Fallout 76 and Everybody's Golf 4 , contain references to the legend. In television, the second episode of

504-525: A tourism component to the local economy. The William Edgar Haymond House and Old Sutton High School are listed on the National Register of Historic Places , along with the historic district. Sutton is located at 38°39′52″N 80°42′37″W  /  38.66444°N 80.71028°W  / 38.66444; -80.71028 (38.664437, -80.710172), along the Elk River . According to

560-566: A wide variety of food, games and vendors in a family friendly atmosphere, with visitors coming from across the east coast. Sutton, and the surrounding area, was the setting for a short science fiction story by Lawrence Watt-Evans entitled Why I Left Harry's All-Night Hamburgers . It was nominated for the Nebula Award in 1987 and won the Hugo Award for Best Short Story in 1988. In 1991, a sequel, "A Flying Saucer with Minnesota Plates"

616-469: Is situated at a center of transportation in West Virginia. Interstate 79 , a major north–south route, connects with Appalachian Corridor L ( U.S. Route 19 ), another significant north–south route, passes several miles south of town. Sutton was settled in 1792 by Adam O'Brien, from Bath County, Virginia . In 1809, John D. Sutton settled at the confluence of Granny's Creek and the Elk River , at

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672-704: Is supporting Homeland Security activities, and has deployed troops as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq , Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa , and peace keeping missions in Kosovo . The WVARNG has a three-fold mission: Two units of the West Virginia Army National Guard, the 150th Cavalry Regiment and the 201st Field Artillery Regiment , are among

728-475: The Braxton Democrat claimed to have discovered "skid marks" in the field and an "odd, gummy deposit" which were subsequently attributed by UFO enthusiast groups as evidence of a "saucer" landing. According to former news editor Holt Byrne, "newspaper stories were carried throughout the country, radio broadcasts were carried on large networks, and hundreds of phone calls were received from all parts of

784-655: The Center for National Response at the Memorial Tunnel in Kanawha County . It was reported on April 24, 2022, after the beginning of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine , that West Virginia would be sending a number of M113 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine. The West Virginia Air National Guard is the state's air force militia. It is part of both the United States Air Force and

840-623: The Keep 'Em Flying grassroots organization to try to prevent the unit from being decommissioned. Following an outpouring of community support, money was raised for newspaper ads and radio ads, and to hire analysts familiar with BRAC, all in an attempt to save the unit. On June 13, 2005, members of the BRAC commission came to Charleston to evaluate the base and talk to General Tackett, Governor Joe Manchin , Senator Robert Byrd , Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito and Col. Bill Peters, Jr., former commander of

896-840: The United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 0.83 square miles (2.15 km ), of which 0.78 square miles (2.02 km ) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km ) is water. The Sutton Lake project was authorized by Congress in the Flood Control Act of 1938. Construction began in October 1949, but was interrupted by the Korean War . Work resumed in 1956 and in the dam was finally completed in 1961. The Dam and lake provide opportunities for boating, picnicking, playgrounds, camping and pavilions available for rent. A handicap-access fishing area

952-574: The 130th and chair for Keep 'Em Flying. Following this visit, and taking in all the information that was presented to them during that time, the BRAC commission voted unanimously, 9–0, to keep the unit intact. Since the September 11 attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., the unit has had members deployed to the Afghan and Iraq wars. Unit members have received six Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts in support of these operations. In December 2006,

1008-671: The 167th is flying the C-17 Globemaster III and the 130th is flying the C-130 Hercules in support of operations worldwide. In addition, the 130th and the 167th Wings took part in Operation Desert Shield . Both units report to Air Mobility Command . On 13 May 2005, the Department of Defense released its Base Realignment and Closure, 2005 (BRAC) report, and the 130th Airlift Wing was one of

1064-596: The 167th received its first C-5 Galaxy , out of a total of 11 aircraft. In February 2012, the Force Structure Overview was released by the Secretary of the Air Force . The document detailed numerous aircraft changes throughout the active, Guard and Reserve forces, including the replacement of the unit's C-5 aircraft with C-17s. On September 25, 2014, the 167th Airlift Wing flew its final C-5 mission,

1120-591: The 2019 History Channel series Project Blue Book titled "The Flatwoods Monster" is based on the Flatwoods incident. West Virginia National Guard The West Virginia National Guard is a part of the West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety. It comprises the West Virginia Army National Guard and the West Virginia Air National Guard . Unlike some states, West Virginia does not maintain

1176-747: The 38th Infantry Division. The Second Regiment was reorganized and redesignated as the 150th Infantry while the First Regiment was broken up into support units. The 150th Infantry landed in Europe at the end of the war and saw no action in that conflict. One of the West Virginian National Guard's most infamous actions was when it took part in the Battle of Blair Mountain , the largest labor uprising in American history. It played

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1232-539: The Air Force. The night of the September ;12 sighting, a meteor had been observed across three states—Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. According to Nickell, three flashing red aircraft beacons were also visible from the area of the sightings, which could account for descriptions of a pulsating red light and red tint on the face of the supposed monster. Nickell concluded that the shape, movement, and sounds reported by witnesses were also consistent with

1288-712: The Aleutian Islands. The National Guard was dramatically changed after World War II. Artillery units, transportation, and engineering units were added to the 150th Infantry Regiment. Probably the biggest change, however, was the addition of a combat fighter squadron, bringing an important aviation component to the Guard Since World War II, the Army and Air National Guard has served in a number of capacities, lending aid to West Virginians during natural disasters caused by periodic flooding and to victims of

1344-524: The Fisher farm in an effort to locate whatever it was that the boys had said they had seen. The group reached the top of a hill, where Nunley said they saw a pulsing red light. Lemon said he aimed a flashlight in that direction and momentarily saw a tall "man-like figure with a round, red face surrounded by a pointed, hood-like shape". Descriptions varied. In an article for Fate Magazine based on his tape-recorded interviews, UFO writer Gray Barker described

1400-691: The French and Indian War and during Dunmore’s War. Men from Western Virginia fought on all fronts in the Revolutionary War. During the War of 1812, Western Virginia militia units took part in the Northwest campaigns, and one company of Cabell County troops fought alongside Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. Cabell, Berkeley, and Jefferson counties provided infantry regiments for service in

1456-630: The Mexican War of 1846-1848. In 1861, the 81st Virginia General Assembly voted to secede from the United States following the Battle of Fort Sumter . However, opposition to secession and slavery as well as anti-Confederate, Pro-Union sentiments were strong in Northwestern Virginia. The counties that now compose of present-day West Virginia voted to secede from Virginia and establish their own separate, pro-Union state, and

1512-503: The West Virginia National Guard's separate identity truly began to coalesce during this period. West Virginia provided some 40,000 men for service in both Northern and Southern forces. Many enlisted in the regiments of bordering states, especially Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. These troops primarily saw service on West Virginia soil or in the Valley of Virginia. Federal and Confederate units from West Virginia were present at both

1568-651: The West Virginia National Guard. The West Virginia Air National Guard was officially federally recognized on March 7, 1947, as the 167th Fighter Squadron, based at Kanawha Airport in Charleston. During the early years of the 167th, it flew the T-6 Texan trainer, P-51 Mustang and P-47 Thunderbolt . The unit was activated October 10, 1950 during the Korean War, and was designated the 167th Fighter Bomber Squadron when it returned on July 10, 1952. In December 1955,

1624-818: The attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, than at any other time in its history. Elements of the West Virginia Army and Air National Guard served in action in Afghanistan and in Iraq. The leadership of the West Virginia National Guard includes: The West Virginia Army National Guard (WVARNG) is the United States Army component of the West Virginia National Guard. It has 38 units and activities stationed in 22 counties throughout West Virginia and overseas. The WV ARNG

1680-411: The average family size was 2.69. In the town, the population dispersal was 19.3% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 31.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males. The median income for a household in the town was $ 25,134, and

1736-681: The century when it consisted of two bands, the 201st Infantry Band in Morgantown, WV and the 150th Infantry Band in Bluefield, WV. Upon release from federal service in World War Two, these two bands were consolidated into the current 249th and was stationed in Fairmont, West Virginia. In 1995, the 249th was stationed in Morgantown. The band is made up of members from throughout the state as well as surrounding states. These personnel make up

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1792-596: The coal refuse dam break on Buffalo Creek in 1972. As part of its military mission, elements of the West Virginia Army and Air National Guard were activated for duty during the Korean War, the war in Vietnam, the Gulf War of 1991, the Iraq War, in support of the peacekeeping mission to Bosnia in 1997–98, and more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The West Virginia National Guard was mobilized more frequently after

1848-512: The country". The national press services rated the story "No. 11 for the year". A minister from Brooklyn came to question the May family. A Pittsburgh paper sent a special reporter. UFO and Fortean writers like Gray Barker and Ivan T. Sanderson arrived to investigate. After investigating the case in 2000, Joe Nickell of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry concluded that the bright light in

1904-420: The description of a barn owl with its talons gripping a tree branch. According to skeptic Ryan Haupt, even though local boy Max Lockard admitted he had driven around the site "hoping to see something" in his Chevy truck, "paranormal investigators concluded that the tracks, oily residue, and bits of a rubbery substance must have been left by the creature and not the truck". Haupt explains nausea reported by some of

1960-559: The downtown. Sutton slowly rebuilt but remained small until the local timber industry boomed. The town then became a commercial center, and many of the banks, hotels, shops, and other historic buildings in the Sutton Downtown Historic District date from this 1890–1920 period. After this, Sutton once again slowed in development. Sutton Dam was built on the Elk River upstream from the town in 1961, adding

2016-611: The edge of the present town. The village of Suttonville, formerly known as Newville, was laid out in 1835. When Braxton County was formed in 1836, the first court was held in the home of John D. Sutton. Sutton was a transportation hub. In addition to the navigable Elk River, the Weston and Gauley Bridge Turnpike connected the Staunton and Parkersburg Turnpike to the James River and Kanawha Turnpike , via Sutton. A suspension bridge

2072-432: The figure as approximately 10 feet (3  m ) tall, with a round blood-red face, a large pointed "hood-like shape" around the face, eye-like shapes which emitted greenish-orange light, and a dark black or green body. May described the figure as having "small, claw-like hands", clothing-like folds, and "a head that resembled the ace of spades ". According to the story, when the figure made a hissing sound and "glided toward

2128-657: The first land battle of the war at Philippi and at the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. A few ceremonial and social militia companies were formed after the Civil War, but the state did nothing to encourage their formation. Although violence during the Railroad Strike of 1877 led industrialists to plead for more militia companies, organization of the militia continued to be slow due to a lack of popular and legislative support. However, national labor problems and

2184-573: The formation of the National Guard Association as a lobbying group resulted in federal legislation that furnished funding and material for Guard companies. In 1889, the West Virginia legislature renamed the militia the West Virginia National Guard and provided state support. The First Infantry Regiment was organized in northern West Virginia and the Second Infantry Regiment in southern West Virginia. In 1898,

2240-426: The group", Lemon screamed and dropped his flashlight, causing the group to run away. The group said they had smelled a "pungent mist" and some later said they were nauseated. The local sheriff and a deputy had been investigating reports of a crashed aircraft in the area. They searched the site of the reported monster but "saw, heard and smelled nothing". According to Barker's account, the next day, A. Lee Stewart Jr. of

2296-588: The median income for a family was $ 37,679. Males had a median income of $ 26,875 versus $ 21,875 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 15,397. About 19.7% of families and 25.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 39.8% of those under age 18 and 15.6% of those age 65 or over. In June 2021, the owners of the Mountain Laurel Country Store opened the West Virginia Bigfoot Museum to

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2352-470: The nineteen Army National Guard units with campaign credit for the War of 1812 . The 150th served with the 38th Infantry Division between the wars, served in the Panama Canal Zone during World War II , and was an armored cavalry regiment for a time after World War II. West Virginia is also home to the 249th Army Band, stationed in Morgantown, WV. The band's history dates back to the turn of

2408-407: The population. There were 470 households, out of which 22.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and

2464-530: The public. The museum, one of only two east of the Mississippi River dedicated exclusively to Bigfoot, features plaster castings, skull replicas, full size wood carvings and written accounts of people in West Virginia who have claimed encounters with Bigfoot. On June 26, 2021, The West Virginia Bigfoot Museum hosted the first West Virginia Bigfoot Festival in Sutton to a huge crowd. The event featured

2520-471: The silhouette, flight pattern, and call of a startled barn owl perched on a tree limb, leading researchers to conclude that foliage beneath the owl may have created the illusion of the lower portions of the creature (described as being a pleated green skirt). Researchers also concluded that the witnesses' inability to agree on whether the creature had arms, combined with May's report of it having "small, claw-like hands" which "extended in front of it", also matched

2576-421: The sky reported by the witnesses on September 12 was most likely a meteor , that the pulsating red light was likely an aircraft navigation or hazard beacon, and that the creature described by witnesses closely resembled an owl. Nickell suggested that witnesses' perceptions were distorted by their heightened state of anxiety. Nickell's conclusions are shared by a number of other investigators, including those of

2632-555: The southeastern bank of the Elk River joined the Coal and Coke Railway six miles to the east at Gassaway . Due to its location, Sutton was embroiled in the American Civil War . On September 5, 1861, the town was occupied by 5,000 Union troops. Later in 1861, General William Rosecrans bivouacked 10,000 Union troops there, including future President William McKinley . On December 29, 1861, Confederate soldiers burned most of

2688-527: The town was 49.8% male and 50.2% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 1,011 people, 470 households, and 283 families living in the town. The population density was 1,226.9 inhabitants per square mile (476.0/km ). There were 557 housing units at an average density of 675.9 per square mile (262.3/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 97.82% White , 0.49% African American , 0.30% Native American , 0.49% from other races , and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.30% of

2744-418: The town was 97.9% White , 0.7% African American , 0.3% Native American , 0.2% Asian , 0.3% from other races , and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.7% of the population. There were 452 households, of which 23.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.2% had

2800-885: The two regiments were merged into one for service in the Spanish-American War. The First West Virginia Volunteer Infantry was stationed in Georgia. Later, another regiment was formed, the Second West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, which served in Pennsylvania during the war. The militia or National Guard was activated for service in areas of labor unrest in 1877, 1880, 1894, 1902, and 1912. Though there were hundreds of strikes during this period, most were controlled by local police authorities. When this failed, troops were called to duty. The most prolonged service took place in 1902 when

2856-715: The unit was redesignated as the 167th Fighter Interceptor Squadron , and relocated to Eastern West Virginia Region Airport in Martinsburg, WV. Today the West Virginia Air National Guard is composed of two airlift units, the 130th Airlift Wing based at Charleston Air National Guard Base in Charleston, West Virginia , and the 167th Airlift Wing based at Shepherd Field Air National Guard Base in Martinsburg, West Virginia . As of 2015,

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2912-414: The units slated to be eventually decommissioned. Its complement of eight C-130H aircraft would be realigned to Pope Air Force Base , and its complement of expeditionary combat support (ECS) personnel to the 167th Airlift Wing. Upon learning of this, several former commanders of the 130th Airlift Wing along with members of the local Kanawha County Commission and the Yeager Airport Board of Directors formed

2968-448: The witnesses as a symptom "consistent with hysteria and over-exertion". Officials in Flatwoods erected a welcome sign which designated the town as "Home of the Green Monster". The town also commemorates the legend in its annual "Flatwoods Days" festival. Located in the town of Sutton , the Braxton County seat, is the Flatwoods Monster Museum, which is dedicated to the legend. The Braxton County Convention and Visitor's Bureau also built

3024-407: Was activated in response to President Woodrow Wilson’s call for troops to pursue Pancho Villa on the Mexican border. Again, the regiments were merged and the Second West Virginia Volunteer Infantry was sent to the border. After several months the unit returned home, only to be federalized within weeks for service in World War I. The Second Regiment and a newly recruited First Regiment were absorbed into

3080-428: Was also recently constructed at the Sutton Dam. The geographic center of West Virginia is located just four miles east of Sutton. As of the census of 2010, there were 994 people, 452 households, and 265 families living in the town. The population density was 1,274.4 inhabitants per square mile (492.0/km ). There were 527 housing units at an average density of 675.6 per square mile (260.9/km ). The racial makeup of

3136-401: Was constructed on the Weston and Gauley Bridge Turnpike across the Elk River at Sutton in 1853. Railroads also served the town of Sutton, with the Sutton Branch connecting to the West Virginia and Pittsburgh Railroad at Flatwoods, West Virginia via McNutt (near the area now called Laurel Court), a path that would later be used by West Virginia State Route 4 . Another branch that ran along

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