Ken Hechler To Celebrate Milestone 100th Birthday Saturday

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Source: WCHS



Former West Virginia secretary of state and congressman Ken Hechler is reaching a milestone this weekend.

Hechler will be 100 years old on Saturday. He and his wife, Carol, will celebrate with friends and family at a private party in Romney on Sunday.

Hechler was an Army combat historian during World War II and served in the Truman White House, writing speeches among other duties.

He served in the U.S. House between 1959 and 1976 and was secretary of state from 1985 to 2001.

Read more: http://www.wchstv.com/news/features/eyewitness-news/stories/Ken-Hechler-To-Celebrate-Milestone-100th-Birthday-41576.shtml

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Oldest living person to have served in Congress, aide to presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman, the only sitting member of Congress to have marched with MLK at Selma, interrogated Hermann Goerring for the allies following WW II, author of the Mine Safety Act of 1969, author of the best selling "Bridge at Remagen.

He's still active and leading the fight against mountaintop removal, touring local schools and writing prolifically. Just a few years ago, he led the local Occupy march in his former hometown Huntington.

He's the godfather of West Virginia progressivism and is always there to stand up for what's right when our rightwing state "Democrats" fail.

Our state has been truly blessed to have him.



Here's a great PBS documentary on his life, featuring everyone from Tom Harkin to Bob Dole:

Here he is talking MLK with Phil Donahue:

And here he is with his good friend, the late Larry Gibson, a pioneer in WV's environmental movement and the fight against MTR:

[alp227]

1. fixed link

http://www.wchstv.com/news/features/eyewitness-news/stories/Ken-Hechler-To-Celebrate-Milestone-100th-Birthday-41576.shtml

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

2. got it in the post, too

thanks for the catch

[Staph]

3. We need another one (or two, or three!)

just like him.

I miss seeing his red Jeep with the Ken! sign on the spare tire cover on the back and the KEN DO license plate, tooling around Charleston and Huntington. As recently as five years ago, I used to see him at the Shoney's in downtown Charleston, eating a late breakfast and chatting with everyone who came in.

He's one of a kind.


ETA: He married his companion Carol Kitzmiller last summer, at age 98. That's optimism!

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

5. He's still in great mind and health

He just hasn't been seen around Charleston lately because he moved to the eastern panhandle a few years ago.

[theHandpuppet]

4. Many thanks for posting this

Happy Birthday, Mr. Hechler!

[Aristus]

6. He's looking good.

I would have pegged him as a healthy eighty.

Keep fighting the good fight. It's nice to know there are at least a few West Virginians who care about keeping their beautiful state beautiful...

[Kaleva]

7. I bookmarked your OP about his 99th Birthday

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023700304

I'll bookmark this one too. A fascinating man and I thank you for posting about him.

[ReRe]

8. K&R+

Thank you for OP. So enjoying our progressive history this week. This just ices the Birthday Cake! Happy Birthday, Ken Hechler!