Sgt. Gene Arden Vance Jr. will be honored in his hometown Sunday, May 26, at a public memorial service at West Virginia Universitys Mountainlair Ballrooms on the Downtown Morgantown Campus. The 3 p.m. service is being coordinated by the West Virginia National Guard and WVU , and will be followed by a bell ringing on Oglebay Plaza.

It is a tradition on the WVU campus to ring the Armored Cruiser U.S.S. West Virginia bell to honor fallen WVU students, especially those who have served their country.

Vance, 38, was killed last Sunday (May 19) in eastern Afghanistan near Shkin, when his unit came under fire from suspected al-Qaeda or Taliban forces. He served in the 2nd Battalion of the 19th Special Forces Unit based in Kenova, W.Va.

At the ceremony, Vance will be promoted to the rank of staff sergeant (E-6) and awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his role in the war on terrorism. He had already earned a Bronze Star for previous service.

Vances widow, Lisa, will receive the West Virginia state flag from Gov. Bob Wise, and WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr. will present her with an honorary diploma for a Regents Bachelor of Arts degree posthumously.

Hardesty said WVU is proud and honored to participate in this memorial service.

“Sgt. Gene Vance was one of ours. He attended WVU from 1991-1995 and had re-enrolled last fall but was called to active duty after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. While I did not know him then, I feel as though I know him now. I have learned that he was a proud and dedicated soldier, a devoted husband to Lisa, a dedicated father to Amber and a wonderful son, brother and friend. He gave his life for America and for that we thank him, but we will miss him.”

Vance was the first member of the West Virginia National Guard to die while on active duty since World War II. His unit, which has deployed 236 troops to the Middle East, is the nations highest-rated group of its kind.

Flags have been flying at half staff on campus and around the state since word of Sgt. Vances death was received.

The McDowell County native graduated from Oceana High School in Wyoming County in 1981. He served in the Army before returning to West Virginia to attend WVU in the early 1990s. He later joined the National Guard and also worked at the Whitetail Bicycle and Fitness Center in Morgantown.

An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed mountain biking, backpacking and whitewater paddling. He also loved live music performances, especially the music of Dick Dale.

Approximately 800-1,000 people are expected at the Sunday service, including the Vance family and state and national military and government officials.

A reception will follow in the Mountainlair at Hatfields Restaurant.

Also, a memorial fund has been established at WesbancoSabraton branch, 1350 Earl Core Road, Morgantown, WV 26505 . Donations may be directed to the Sgt. Gene A. Vance, Jr. Memorial Fund.