John Larch a Quiet Hero in the Ohio Valley

Every community has them: the people that work behind the scenes, quietly moving mountains without ever asking for recognition. They are the ones who volunteer after work, who notice what’s missing and decide to fix it, who serve others not because they want to be seen — but because they believe it’s the right thing to do.

One of those people is John Larch.

Larch never served in the military, and he is the first to deflect credit for Wheeling’s Military Banner Program. Ask him about it, and he’ll point to Mayor Dennis Magruder, to the city’s Operations department, to the VFW and American Legion, to the families who sponsor banners for their loved ones. But those who know the truth are quick to say that without Larch’s leadership, Wheeling might still be the city without a banner program