We did it! West Virginia has done an exceptional job of honoring Ken Hechler, now 93, and his 50 years of contribution to West Virginia. His life's story, "In Pursuit of Justice," which premiered last Saturday evening at Marshall University, is an invaluable segment of West Virginia history and culture.
We did it! West Virginia has done an exceptional job of honoring Ken Hechler, now 93, and his 50 years of contribution to West Virginia. His life's story, "In Pursuit of Justice," which premiered last Saturday evening at Marshall University, is an invaluable segment of West Virginia history and culture. The next day, Ken described the work as "a masterful job."
Clearly, the crowd was delighted. All saw this patriot's work to help assure West Virginia's past and future role in America. Beyond fact, the story is honest, happy and inspiring.
Hechler stole his own show early on when he gave nonverbal signals to Ken Sullivan, CEO of the West Virginia Humanities Council, that he wanted no introduction. Sullivan laughed and relinquished the podium to Hechler, who got on with the show.
Russ Barbour, producer, asked our table if any of us had firsthand stories of Ken. Bill Dunfee from Huntington told of going into Ken's office the last day he served as secretary of state - the boxes, his "rat's nest" desk still piled high with papers, the time pressure. But despite stresses and disarray, Ken welcomed Bill to come in, sit down and be part. "Be part" rang in my head as Ken's signature message.
We needed to show Ken this first-rate thanks. The two-hour film ended with Hechler saying, "I'd like to be remembered as one who fought like hell for the living." I'm sure others felt the double meaning.
Ken tells me he wants to write four or five books, now. Two things stand out to me as ways to encourage him. First, we who have stories to tell about Ken should write and contribute them. Second, those of us with pride in West Virginia's culture, history and role in America's past and future should purchase and promote the DVD. Barbara Winters, Marshall's dean of libraries, will help.
Our organization looks for ways to orient those who will leave the state, centered on those who go into military services, to continue to contribute to West Virginia. For sure, we will use this DVD to inspire them to "be part" of West Virginia's and America's future. We invite readers to find ways to use this DVD as an example of a tangible, positive project, which West Virginia has achieved with first-rate collaboration, for our people.
Montague, of Charleston, is executive director of Thanks! Plain and Simple, Inc.
We did it! West Virginia has done an exceptional job of honoring Ken Hechler, now 93, and his 50 years of contribution to West Virginia. His life's story, "In Pursuit of Justice," which premiered last Saturday evening at Marshall University, is an invaluable segment of West Virginia history and culture. The next day, Ken described the work as "a masterful job."
Clearly, the crowd was delighted. All saw this patriot's work to help assure West Virginia's past and future role in America. Beyond fact, the story is honest, happy and inspiring.
Hechler stole his own show early on when he gave nonverbal signals to Ken Sullivan, CEO of the West Virginia Humanities Council, that he wanted no introduction. Sullivan laughed and relinquished the podium to Hechler, who got on with the show.
Russ Barbour, producer, asked our table if any of us had firsthand stories of Ken. Bill Dunfee from Huntington told of going into Ken's office the last day he served as secretary of state - the boxes, his "rat's nest" desk still piled high with papers, the time pressure. But despite stresses and disarray, Ken welcomed Bill to come in, sit down and be part. "Be part" rang in my head as Ken's signature message.
We needed to show Ken this first-rate thanks. The two-hour film ended with Hechler saying, "I'd like to be remembered as one who fought like hell for the living." I'm sure others felt the double meaning.
Ken tells me he wants to write four or five books, now. Two things stand out to me as ways to encourage him. First, we who have stories to tell about Ken should write and contribute them. Second, those of us with pride in West Virginia's culture, history and role in America's past and future should purchase and promote the DVD. Barbara Winters, Marshall's dean of libraries, will help.
Our organization looks for ways to orient those who will leave the state, centered on those who go into military services, to continue to contribute to West Virginia. For sure, we will use this DVD to inspire them to "be part" of West Virginia's and America's future. We invite readers to find ways to use this DVD as an example of a tangible, positive project, which West Virginia has achieved with first-rate collaboration, for our people.
Montague, of Charleston, is executive director of Thanks! Plain and Simple, Inc.
