Each year, the WV Division of Culture and History presents "History Hero" awards to people who have made "significant grass-roots contributions" to the preservation of local or regional history. Local groups, such as the Jackson County Historical Society (JCHS), nominate individuals whom they feel deserve this honor.

This year, the JCHS chose Les Shockey as their nominee, and on Feb 24, 2011, 'our own" Les was presented this award for his work on the WVGenWeb and the Jackson County WVGenWeb pages. In the past, individuals have been recognized for their work in many areas, but Les is the first to be recognized for his work in cyberspace. Without this work, we might not have this website.

The ceremony was held at 9:30 a.m. in the State Theatre at the Cultural Center, and at 11:00 a.m., the History Heroes moved to the House of Delegates gallery where they were recognized from the floor.

Please join me in congratulating Les, for no one else deserves this more than he does.

Photo on right: Commissioner of Culture and History Randall Reid-Smith, History Hero Lesley L. "Les" Shockey, Archives and History Commission Chairman Robert Conte