Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance (WVDVA) today announced Col. Harrison Gilliam as the newest member of the West Virginia Veterans Council.
“I’m pleased Colonel Gilliam accepted this opportunity to serve on the West Virginia Veterans Council,” Gov. Tomblin said. “His extensive knowledge and experience will be an added value to the council’s work and will provide a voice for our veterans and their families. I look forward to working with him in this new role.”
Col. Gilliam enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1987 and joined the West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) in 1992. Gilliam has been deployed to Haiti, Iraq and Afghanistan. During his last deployment, he served as the Special Operations Task Force Commander for Regional Command. Gilliam currently serves as the WVNG Operations Officer and Commander of the Special Operations Detachment (Europe).
Col. Gilliam has received numerous awards and decorations including two Bronze Star Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Master Parachutist Badge.
WVDVA Cabinet Secretary Keith Gwinn said, “Colonel Gilliam is a true patriot and a great leader who wants the best for West Virginia’s veterans. I look forward to working with him and, on behalf of the state’s veteran community, it is my honor to welcome him to the council.”
Gilliam’s appointment follows the resignation of Robert Vass.
Col. Gilliam and his wife Andrea have one daughter and currently reside in Huntington, W.Va.
