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Annual Recognition Banquet Held; Many Honored for Thier Dedication
By Firefighter/EMT Robert Kagel
February 27, 2010
On February 27, Lionville Fire Company held its annual recognition banquet in honor of the volunteers, the municipalities, and our mutual aid companies for their dedication and support to making our company such a great success. Over 120 people attended this year's banquet which was held in our own, beautiful, on-site banquet facility, The Village Room.
Firefighter Carlos Martinez served as the evening's Master of Ceremony. Fire Police Lieutenant Joel Gramling gave the Invocation. The Invocation remembered past Chief Harold Trego, past Chief Harry Ruth, and Life Member Patricia Ruth, all who passed away in 2009. Dinner was provided by Montesano Brothers of Upper Uwchlan Township. Musical entertainment was provided by Greg DiFrancesco of The HitMen from Downingtown.
Each attendee received a stadium blanket with the Fire Company patch embroidered on the blanket. Two recliners were raffled off courtesy of Gary Moore and Moore's Furniture located on Pottstown Pike in Upper Uwchlan. Centerpieces were also given away to attendees courtesy of Bittmann's Orchids located on West Uwchlan Avenue in Uwchlan Township.
Batallion Chief Bill Minahan was this year's recipient of the Special Service Award. This award is given to a member of the Company that makes significant service contributions throughout the year. Chief Minahan heads up the effort every year to put on the very successful Clam Bake fundraiser which brings in about $10,000 each year. Chief Minahan also gives sound advice and is often the voice of reason when serious discussion is occurring among the company membership.
Newly appointed Lieutenant Bryan Rachko was this year's recipient of the coveted Firefighter of the Year Award. Bryan responded to 55% of the alarms, or 294 calls, last year. He was one of the top five point runners. Bryan's informal leadership and mentoring towards new and existing personnel made him a "no-brainer" for this award. Bryan's firefighting skills and natural ability to teach also contributed to his well-deserved winning of this award.
Both Chief Minahan and Lieutenant Rachko were recognized by Pennsylvania Representative Curt Schroder and the entire Pennsylvania House of Representatives by receiving Citations for their contributions to the company. Representative Schroder thanked all the members for their hard work and dedication to ensuring the community is well-protected from fire. Representative Schroder is a big supporter of the Lionville Fire Company and said he looks forward to the Clam Bake every year.
Membership Secretary Bob Edwards recognized the years of service members have given to the Company. For 10 years of continuous service Firefighter/EMT Bobby Kagel, Firefighter Carlos Martinez, and Firefighter/EMT Bill Salinsky were recognized. For 15 years of continuous service Deputy Chief Mike Chapman was recognized. For 25 years of continuous service Firefighter Russ Faller was recognized.
In Lionville Fire Company, after a member gives 20 years of continuous service to the company they are granted life membership. This affords them all the rights and privileges as a member of the Company for the rest of their lifetime. This year marked six member's 20 year commitment to the community and the Company. Receiving Life Membership were Firefighter Bruce McKenney, Firefighter Jim Peterson, Firefighter Elwood Sorensen, Firefighter Martin Sorensen, and Fire Police Officer/EMT Bruce Vessey.
While we are fortunate to have such a dedicated and talented membership it would be difficult for them to perform without the invaluable leadership we receive from the Chief and Administrative Officers of the Company. Every year the Company gives the Fire Chief a thank you gift. Like years past, the Chief was given a weekend trip to the Windrift Hotel in Avalon, NJ with his family. However, this year also presented a new opportunity to thank the leadership. Firefighter/EMT Bob Edwards came up with the idea to present decorative wall shields to the company, on behalf of the leadership. Each member contributed money to purchasing these beautiful wall shields hand crafted by Blake Iselin of Wallshieldsco.com. These decorative shields now adorn the walls of the Fire Company as a constant reminder of the invaluable leadership we are so fortunate to have at Lionville Fire Company.
Lionville Fire Company recognizes it's not just the membership that makes the Fire Company work as well as it does, it's also the spouses, family and other partners that allow our membership to make such a big dedication to the Fire Company. While we thanked every one of them at the banquet, Bittmann's Orchids allowed us to give a special thank you to the Chiefs' wives: Pam Holmes, wife of Fire Chief Mike Holmes; Janice Chapman, wife of Deputy Chief Mike Chapman; and, Tina Minahan, wife of Batallion Chief Bill Minahan. These giving women each received a beautiful bouquet of roses.
Finally, the Lionville Fire Company would like to recognize the following businesses for their dedication and support of the Lionville Fire Company by providing generous donations to help offset the cost of this recognition banquet: - Moore's Furniture for two recliners and a large donation check - Belfor for a donation check - Bittmann's Orchids for centerpieces of bouquets of flowers
Special thanks to Berywn Fire Company for covering our Fire District during this event.
Congratulations to all those that were recognized at this year's banquet and the entire membership for their hard work and dedication in 2009. We look forward to having an even more successful 2010.
For more information on The Village Room, please visit www.thevillageroom.com or call (610) 594-2777.
Save the Date! The Annual Lionville Fire Company Clam Bake will be held on Sunday, September 5 at the Firehouse. Check our website at www.lionvillefire.org in July for additional information.
Please support our supporters by shopping with them.
For all your furniture needs, please think of Moore's Furniture first: www.mooresfurniture.com or (800) 640-5435. Moore's Furniture is located on Route 100 in Eagle or at 3291 W. Ridge Pike in Limerick.
For flowers for all occasions, please think of Bittmann's Orchids first: www.bittmanflorist.com or (610) 363-6096. Bittmann's Orchids & Greenhouse is located at 514 W. Uwchlan Avenue in Downingtown.
For all your property restoration needs, please think of Belfor first: www.us.belfor.com or (800) 856-3333.
Have an event? Need a DJ? Call Greg DiFrancesco with The HitMen at (484) 288-9930.
Hungry? Go to Montesano Brothers! Visit Montesano Brothers at www.montesanobros.net, call them at (610) 458-8065 or stop by 55 Seaboldt Way in Upper Uwchlan.
MORE PHOTOS TO COME!
Check out wallshieldsco.com
Check out wallshieldsco.com
FF Bobby Kagel - 10 Years of Service
FF Carlos Martinez - 10 Years of Service
Deputy Mike Chapman - 15 Years
Fire Police Officer Bruce Vessey - Life Membership (20 years)
FF Russ Faller - 25 Years
Battalion Chief Bill Minahan (left) - Special Service Award
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