Even though they have between 20 and 50 years’ service each, the five senior firefighters on the Richland Township Volunteer Fire Department are hoping they won’t be needing anytime soon the gift their trustees presented them with Sunday evening.
“As trustees, we don’t have a lot of ways to honor you,” Richland Township Trustee Kevin Peterson told his fellow firefighters during the meal and recognition ceremony at the Memorial Building in Belle Center.
“This is one of the ways,” he said, referring to the catered banquet, the leather helmets that went to those firefighters with more than 20 years service and the commemorative blankets to those with 10 to 20 years.
“This is another small thing we can do,” Mr. Peterson said as he handed out free burial plots in the Fairview Cemetery.
“We’re not going to take this the wrong way or anything, it’s a very nice and valuable gift,” Fire Chief Ron Smith joked in his closing remarks as he thanked the trustees, his fellow firefighters and the residents of Richland Township who have supported the department over the years.
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ABOVE: Members of the Richland Township Volunteer Fire Department, include, from left: front row, with 20 or more years: Jerry Lowe, assistant chiefs Dustin Plikerd, Jason Johns and Dave Johns, and Chief Ron Smith; second row with 10 to 19 years: Brady Baier, Cody Dickinson, Wes Hall and Ryan Stanford; and third row with nine or fewer years: Kevin Peterson, Paul Soma, Aaron Garver, Zac Miller and Chris Moody. HOME PAGE SLIDE SHOW PHOTO: Richland Township Fire Chief Ron Smith, center, makes his way up to the front of the room as fellow firefighters and township residents recognize him Sunday evening for 45 years’ service and 28 years as chief this year. (EXAMINER PHOTOS | REUBEN MEES) |
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