Signs Dedicated to Honor Children's Home and Staff Sgt. English

A Blair County landmark for many years, along with one of the home's own, were celebrated in Williamsburg last Saturday, November 9. 

Staff Sgt. Glenn Harry English Jr., along with the Blair County Children's Home were forever etched in Williamsburg's memory with two signs representing each placed at the bridge beside Martin General Store.

"It's a real honor to be the pastor of a church in a building that has been the beacon of hope for many, for so many years," current Grace Pointe Community Church of God Pastor Josh Kirksey said before leading the group in prayer.

The Church of God sits where the Blair County Children's Home stands. 

Outgoing State Representative Jim Gregory was the keynote speaker for the event. 

"It's great to see all the work coming together to make these signs possible," he said. 

Gregory said to prepare for his speech, he looked up orphanages which got their upstart in the late 1850s. 

"Most of these orphanages popped up in the eastern part of the United States, because of immigrants coming over," he said.

Gregory said Charles Brace in New York City,  recognized the children living on the streets. 

He would send 10-40 children at a time, along with a supervisor, to relocate west to farms and other areas.

Gregory said some of these children grew up to be congressmen and senators. 

The children's home finished construction in Williamsburg in 1902, and a renovation in 1939 added more beds, a playground, a swimming pool, and an indoor gymnasium. 

Gregory said that some people say girls and boys in Williamsburg became so good at basketball because the indoor basketball court at the home was so low.

Gregory also took the time to thank the community throughout his tenure as State Representative for always being one of the most welcoming communities in the 80th District.

The home, unfortunately, burned down on August 2, 1975, displacing many young children and workers. 

"This impacted the community greatly," he said. "A band-aid on the wound, but now with this beautiful placard, the Children's Home will always be remembered."

Some of those who lived at the Children's Home or worked there, and relatives were on hand to reveal the placard. 

Staff Sgt. Glenn Harry English, Jr. 

Staff Sgt. Glenn Harry English Jr. was also honored at the ceremony following the unveiling of the Blair County Children's Home sign.

English, during his teenage years, attended school at Williamsburg while residing in the Blair County Children's Home. 

Later in life, English joined the United States Army and served his country in Vietnam. 

English was riding in a lead armored personnel carrier when an enemy mine exploded in front of his vehicle. As the vehicle swerved, a concealed enemy force opened fire with automatic weapons and grenades, striking the vehicle and eventually starting a fire within the vehicle. 

He escaped the vehicle but raced back to save his three comrades.

As he was lifting one of the men to safety, the vehicle exploded, mortally wounding both him and the man he was attempting to save. 

English passed on September 7, 1970. Following his passing, English was posthumously honored with the Medal of Honor, the military's highest decoration.

On his placard, John 15:13, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."