The Demopolis Times and Blackbelt Gazette were recognized Thursday, June 30, with a special award for the staff’s efforts in promoting Citizenship Education of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The award was presented by VFW Post 5377 Trustee Nosey Linton, Post Surgeon Phillip Spence, and Post Commander Lee Belcher. Pictured above are, from left, Classifieds Manager Bernice McAlpine, Linton, Publisher and Editor Robert Blankenship, Spence, and Staff Writer Nicholas Finch. “We are truly humbled that our local veterans — true heroes within our community —would take the time and effort to recognize the newspaper staff. We look forward to continuing our efforts and working with the post members to inform our community about the happenings and successes of our local VFW Post,” Blankenship said.