From left, Parkersburg High School students Connor George, Lucy Cartwright and Nick Beane take a look around a HH60 Black Hawk helicopter Friday morning. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

PARKERSBURG – Students at Parkersburg High School and Parkersburg South High School got an up-close look at the West Virginia Army National Guard on Friday as recruiters visited the schools with aircraft displays and information about service opportunities.

The visit included a Black Hawk helicopter and a Lakota helicopter, which Sgt. 1st Class Justin Ware with the West Virginia Army National Guard described as a “static display” meant to give students a chance to meet Guard members and learn more about what the organization offers.

“What we’re doing is we’re just kind of letting the students know that the West Virginia Army National Guard is an option,” Ware said. “You don’t have to move away to serve your country. You can do it right here in your local populace and get college education benefits all the way up to a master’s degree on us, while serving part time in your local community.”

Ware said the Guard is one of several military options available to students, but it may appeal to those who want to stay close to home while serving and pursuing education.

Ryan Bargerstock, resource officer at Parkersburg High School, said recruiters regularly speak with students, but Friday’s visit offered a broader look at the Guard beyond what many students may already know.

A HH60 Black Hawk helicopter lands on the front lawn of Parkersburg High School Friday morning as part of a display from the West Virginia National Guard. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

“Everyone, when they think National Guard, they just think it’s reserve duty, you go and train, but there’s other elements to it,” Bargerstock said. “It’s just kind of to broaden a little bit of the awareness.”

Bargerstock said students were expected to walk through the display, speak with Guard members and see different aspects of service, including aviation and infantry. He said one of the school’s assistant principals, Mr. Potts, is also with the National Guard and helped coordinate the visit.

Ware, a 2004 Parkersburg High School graduate, said returning to the school as a recruiter is meaningful. He said he was in the school’s JROTC program and knew several classmates who later joined different branches of the military, including the Army National Guard.

“It’s cool to come back here so regularly and not be a teacher, but a recruiter, and talk to the kids and let them know that we’re here,” Ware said.

Ware said the display also helps make recruiters more approachable for students who may be hesitant to ask questions.

Parkersburg South High school sophomore Jackson Sawyer, right, gestures while talking to fellow sophomore Devante Gray who is seated inside a West Virginia National Guard HH60 Black Hawk helicopter on the school's front lawn Friday afternoon. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

“There’s always those select few that might be afraid to come up and talk to us,” he said. “But the more we encounter them, the more apt they are to maybe come up and chat.”

Ware said seeing the helicopters up close could be a rare experience for many students.

“This might be a once in a lifetime opportunity for some of these kids,” he said. “The fact that they can get around one, even see one up close, is pretty huge to them.”

Students also appreciated the opportunity.

“It’s amazing,” said South sophomore Jackson Sawyer, as he stood next to the Black Hawk. “I never would’ve thought I’d be in one.”

Students at Parkersburg High School line up to have the chance to sit in a HH60 Black Hawk Helicopter Friday morning at Parkersburg High School as part of a demonstration by the West Virginia National Guard. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Parkersburg South High School students climb aboard a Tomahawk helicopter that landed on the school's front lawn Friday afternoon as part of an educational demonstration by the WV National Guard. (Photo by Evan Bevins)