The Mathews Volunteer Fire Department held its annual awards ceremony on Saturday, recognizing members for their years of service and other achievements.
The late Chief Todd Wilson, who had served with the department for over 40 years and unexpectedly passed away in October, was honored with a brief ceremony that included playing of “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes. His wife, Dana, and daughter, Jessica, accepted a “Fallen Brother Award” and a plaque bearing his helmet in his memory.
The keynote address was in the form of an inspirational video of a speech by retired Albuquerque Fire Department Chief of Operations Bobby Halton, who currently serves as editor in chief of Fire Engineering magazine.
Halton’s theme was that firefighting is “the best damn job in the world.” He spoke of the dangers and challenges that firefighters face, telling a number of stories about firefighters who committed acts of bravery and heroism, including risking their lives to pull their fallen comrades from raging fires. Several times he quoted U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Robert W. Copeland, who told his sailors aboard the USS Samuel B. Roberts during World War II, “This will be a fight against overwhelming odds from which survival cannot be expected. We will do what damage we can.”
Firefighters are people of honor, character and virtue, undergirded by patriotism, said Halton, and they refuse to embrace victimhood because they love the job and each other and it’s their nature to help others. He also addressed the issue of post-traumatic stress disorder, saying that seeking help to deal with some of the things they’ve had to observe and endure doesn’t make firefighters weak, but it makes them strong and helps them understand the world better.
He urged firefighters to protect themselves and each other and to “stand tall and proud, with courage and resolve as American patriots” because “the rewards of our success are so great.”
Awards and recognitions
Recognized for their years of service during the ceremony were the following:
40 years—Calvin Morgan; 30 years—Charles Buchanan, Charlie Crittenden, Donnie Wayne Owens; 25 years—Dale Fitchett; 20 years—Jason Powell, Trey Haywood, Malcom Conway; 15 years—Chris Buchanan, Steve Tomlinson, Karen Townsend, Brian Smith, D.J. Morgan; 10 years—Aaron Ray, Ryan Deagle; 5 years—Brandon Williams; 1 year—Chase Lewis, Stephen Ovide.
Honorary: Dickie Burroughs, 32 years; Robert Lewis, 28 years; Roger Carmine, 24 years; Timmy Howlett, 21 years.
Associate members: Greg Beaver, IT; Charlie Armistead, mechanic; Sarah Lowe, assistant treasurer; Brenda Robbins, Mathews County Dispatcher, retiring with 32 years of service.
Ladies Auxiliary: Mary “Sissie” Ray, 47 years; Nancy Hudgins, 45 years; Katie Dutton, 43 years; Nancy Smith, 37 years; Betty Hudgins, 36 years; and Casey Shaw, 1 year.
Junior membership to full membership—Noah Lewis.