Silver Star War Hero Speaks Out About WV Governor

Sept. 24, 2008 - PRLog -- Just Your Average Joe......

In late1953, General Trudeau presented Corporal Sam Talbert of Charleston WV with the Silver Star for gallantry while in the Army. Talbert is credited as being a hero who fought in one of the deadliest battles in Korea known as "Pork Chop Hill." He does not remember a lot of what happened during the many days of this fierce battle. But according to witnesses, Talbert lead his squad into a strategic enemy held artillery barrage and took back the US Armies position by providing cover fire. Talbert himself is credited with killing over 200 enemy troops.

According to his General Orders on September 29th, 1953. "Talbert reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of military service."

Later in life, Sam Talbert and his close friend Tom Booher became heavily involved in politics when they decided to campaign for Charlotte Pritt when she defeated Joe Manchin for Governor in 1996. Calling themselves a "Grass Roots" political campaign group, they intended to get honest politicians in office to make changes in WV government. This was a very worthwhile cause to them. In fact, Talbert has been involved in close personal campaign positions with the Clinton-Gore presidential election and Teamsters Union election of Ron Carey.

Joe Manchin approached both men to work for his election bid after he noticed their determination and constant pressure in support of Charlotte Pritt. Both showed the same aggressive grass roots campaigning for Manchin in 17 counties in the state and they are attributed with being a huge factor in the governors success. In fact, the night of the election win, Joe Manchin put his arm around Sam Talbert, kissed him on the cheek and said, "Sam, I love you, and want you to be apart of my family..... Talbert said he replied "I’m a free agent."

So, what happened after Manchin was elected that has caused Talbert and Booher to regret the very day they became involved with the governor? According to Booher, "He quickly turned his back on the citizens of WV and his true colors came out." Booher went on to say "Joe made promises to provide everything from free prescription meds from Canada for low income seniors to creating roundtable groups for solving problems in state government and clean house." (The governor is reported to have promised to pay for some senior’s medications himself.) Nothing ever became of the long list of promises……

For the entire story & more, go to:

http://westvirginianews.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html