Tuesday, November 5, 2013
HONORING OUR VETERANS PAGES 7-10 l
50 Cents Volume 144
Winfield seniors Keegan Patrick, Simon Sneeringer and Hunter Sheldon celebrate after beating Hurricane 2-0 in the sectionals. (file photo)
Winfield Soccer Makes School History By Justin Waybright justin@theputnamstandard.com
WINFIELD - The Generals' boys and girls soccer teams have made school history. They're both headed to the West Virginia State Semi-Final game on Friday Nov. 8 at YMCA Paul Cline Memorial Youth Sports Complex in Beckley, W.Va. This will mark the first time Winfield has sent both teams together to the state tournament. It's a feat that soccer coaches Mike Foster and Marshal Hoff are proud to have accomplished. "It's an honor - it's been a long season, and we still got things to adjust - but everybody is working hard," Foster said of his boys. "They've showed character and a will to win." Junior Steven Taylor is a testament to those words. Early into the season, he broke his collar bone and was unable to play the game he loves. Other teammates suffered injuries too. SEE WINFIELD ON PAGE 11
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l Issue 42
Buffalo Diner: Food, Love & Dreams By Justin Waybright justin@theputnamstandard.com
BUFFALO - Countless restaurants exist in Putnam County, but one stands apart from the rest. Along W.Va. 62, a sticker of a bison covers a window and welcomes drivers to a diner like no other. Inside its doors, a man shakes the hands of visitors and patrons. The smell of fresh country cooked breakfast welcomes the morning. A waitress walks toward her table with a fresh pot of coffee and smiles. The young woman asks a group of customers about their day. It's as if she is serving family and friends. A local car club calls in to schedule another cruise-in to benefit an area resident in need. Selfless compassion lives at Buffalo Diner. It's the foundation the restaurant is built upon, explained owner Billy Desimone. "I believe in giving back - that's
Serving others - Denise Briscoe, Geraldine Johns and Billy Desimone stand in front of Buffalo Diner, a local business known for its food and its love for others. what it's all about," he said. "I'm doing what I love to do and having fun doing it, and it's nice to know that we're doing something to make a difference."
Desimone opened the restaurant five years ago with a simple goal in mind: to establish a place that helps others, serves good food and stays community-dri-
ven. In 2008, Buffalo Diner was born after the Exxon Station became available. SEE DINER ON PAGE 4
Local Man is Testament to Sacrifice and Valor By Justin Waybright justin@thecabellstandard.com
HURRICANE - In a neighborhood stretching off Teays Valley Road, sits a house built upon valor. An American Flag stands beside the front door. A man takes a seat inside a room where medals, patches and pictures tell a story of selfless sacrifice and undeniable love. Reverence breathes in and out of the walls. It flows toward a 39year military veteran. The Hurricane resident remembers the sacrifices he made, the tragedies he faced and the fears he overcame - all in the name of the United States of America.
He stared into the face of death. He lost his best friends in battle. He saw a side of this life that few live to tell about. Dan Chandler served his country. From 1966 to 1970, the airman flew C-130 planes, transporting bombs, food and wounded soldiers for the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Often, he transported men, who had been killed in action. It was a grizzly reminder of a fate that haunted Chandler. "I had in the back of my mind that 'you may never go back home,'" he remembered. "You would just hope and pray it didn't SEE MAN ON PAGE 3
Blessed to serve - Countless medals, plaques and patches cover the home of Dan Chandler. The local Air Force veteran served his country for nearly four decades. Photo by Justin Waybright
Inside This Week: PUTNAM DELINQUENT LAND LIST - INSIDE FOOTBALL - PAGE 11 POCA HIGH SCHOOL - PAGE 16
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