BUCKHANNON – The City of Buckhannon last week honored one of its most active military veterans and veteran volunteers who goes above and beyond, not only in his service to fellow veterans but also to the youth of the Buckhannon-Upshur community.

At Buckhannon City Council’s Thursday, Nov. 21 meeting, veteran Miles Paugh became the 14th recipient of the city’s Buckhannon Exemplary Service Testimonial Award, or BEST award, for November 2019.

“Mr. Paugh, a resident of Reger Avenue, has long been a member of the Frank B. Bartlett post 7 and VFW Post 3663 and participant in many events and activities involving our youth and our veterans, including the featuring of his several military Jeeps in Veterans’ Day parades and delighting our youth with his Jeep tours of Buckhannon during our annual Stockert’s Children’s Festivals,” Buckhannon mayor David McCauley read from the BEST proclamation.

“Recently, he helped protect us all from the zombies during our inaugural zombie walk supporting the Colonial Theatre,” McCauley continued. “Simply stated, Miles Paugh has helped us all in our B-U Community to be better and happier in many ways.”

Following the recognition ceremony, McCauley acknowledged that following the death of his wife, Alice, in 2016, Paugh dove head-first into a new hobby – Jeep restoration. Miles and Alice Paugh raised 17 children together, the mayor noted.

McCauley encouraged residents to congratulate Paugh on his award – and to emulate his example.

“May every resident be mindful of the importance of community service and giving of one’s self and be inspired to give selflessly for the benefit of others as we pay tribute to the many substantial contributions of our exceptional volunteers including the 14th recipient of our city’s BEST award, Mr. Miles Paugh.”

The city established the BEST award in October 2018 to honor residents of the Buckhannon-Upshur community “who perform extraordinary service while embracing the kind and giving spirit of volunteerism.”

Previous BEST award winners include Amanda Hayes, Zachary Mutchler, Robin Keough, Shirley Tinney, Bill Nicholson, Dr. Joseph Reed, Dr. Paul Richter, the late April Pierson-Keating, Brad and Kim Lincicome, Dr. Kathy Gregg, Stan Rexroad, Rich Clemens and Buckhannon Elks Lodge No. 1736.

A placard bearing Mr. Paugh’s name will be installed on the BEST Bench in Jawbone Park.