WVDVA encourages online veteran tributes

Charleston, W.Va. – It’s a month until Veterans Day, but now would be a good time to prepare an online tribute to a friend or loved one who has served in the military. The West Virginia Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a new website – called West Virginia Heroes.

The website is designed to help West Virginians share and commemorate personal stories and photographs of friends and family who have served in the United States military. Stories are not required to focus on military service and the website states: “This is about YOUR hero, so tell us why he or she is special.”

A web interface allows posting of stories and photographs and stories and photographs appear on the West Virginia Heroes website within 48 hours. This is a new feature – as of Tuesday afternoon, just five stories had been posted.

The first story, about Army veteran Jack Copenhaver, reads:

“Jack Copenhaver, my papaw, was drafted by the Army and fought in Korea (sometime in the early 50’s, I assume). Even though he never had any desire to go to war, papaw did what he was called upon to do. He did it for his family and the people he loved, and his experiences oversees fighting for his country are part of what made him who he is today. Now, more than half a century later, his memories of that time are still as sharp as a tack. Listening to his stories over the years has taught me more about people, culture, politics, philosophy and the history of the world and of my country than any college professor ever came close to teaching me. He is the smartest man I’ve ever met, a living history book who values hard work, family and honesty. If that’s not a patriot and a hero, I don’t know what is.”

The story is signed, Heather.

Visit the DVA website at www.veterans.wv.gov and follow the link to the West Virginia Heroes website.

Story By

Heather Niday

Heather is our Program Director and Traffic Manager. She started with Allegheny Mountain Radio as a volunteer deejay. She then joined the AMR staff in February of 2007. Heather grew up in the Richmond, Virginia, area and now lives in Arbovale, West Virginia with her husband Chuck. Heather is a wonderful flute player, and choir director for Arbovale UMC. You can hear Heather along with Chuck on Tuesday nights from 6 to 8pm as they host two hours of jazz on Something Different.

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