Locals rally to celebrate year of ace firefighting

    Current and former firefighters, their families and community leaders gathered in the Phillips County Event Center last Friday, April 12, for the city’s 98th annual celebration of its volunteer firefighting force.
    The banquet included awards, prizes, annual presentations, dinner catered by The Skillet and live entertainment, courtesy of the Phillips County Players.
    Leading the night’s festivities was department chaplain Bryan Kroeger, who attributed the department’s success and longevity to the bonds of brotherhood formed among its members.
    “One thing I’ve noticed about this department and this community is that everyone has everyone’s back,” he said. “And it doesn’t matter whether you’re from Haxtun or Holyoke. I really consider it a distinct honor and privilege to be the chaplain here.”
    The night also gave member Dustin Carrick a chance to say goodbye to his brothers on the force. Carrick, who has been a Holyoke firefighter since December 2016, will be leaving this year to continue his education in Alliance, Nebraska.
    He said the department helped him adjust to civilian life and gave him the chance to follow in the footsteps of other family members involved with the force.
    “Being able to continue that tradition has really been a great honor for me,” he said.
    Carrick presented the department with a wooden American flag plaque, emblazoned with the HVFD crest and made by U.S. Veteran Woodworks of Colorado Springs. HVFD vice president Bob Heldenbrand later said the plaque will be hung in the fire hall.
    Kroeger and Heldenbrand invited HVFD officers and others to speak about the role that the department played in the community. Member Stacy Rueter presented a summary of the 2018 activities that the department hosted and participated in, which was prepared by president Steve Young.
    Awards given to Holyoke firefighters at the banquet included:
    — Ex-Chief’s Badge: John Durbin. The badge recognizes the past year’s chief.
    — Service Year Pin: Ed Race and Josh Young. The pin is given once for every five years of service; Race and Young have served five and 10 years in the department, respectively.
    —President’s Attendance Award: Lance Murray. The award is given to the firefighter with the best record of meeting attendance. Murray attended all 24 of the department’s fire meetings.
    — Brotherhood Training Award: Murray. Murray was recognized for receiving the most training, with 97 3/4 hours logged.
    — Donny Carrick Fire Response Award: Shaun Beck. The award recognizes the firefighter who responded to the most calls.
    — Rookie of the Year: Gabe Hubbard. The award recognizes an outstanding firefighter with fewer than two years of service and can only be received once. Nominators in the department recognized Hubbard for his professionalism, commitment to the department and aptitude as a student.
    — Pride, Progress and Tradition Award: Beck. The award’s name reflects Holyoke’s motto and is meant to recognize a member in the top 10 for meeting attendance, call response and training. Comments from fellow firefighters were read that praised Beck for his dedication and loyalty, shown by his strong record of attendance and response to fire calls.
    — Halligan Award: Josh Young. Named for a multipurpose firefighting tool, the award recognizes a member for dependability, consistency and versatility. Members praised Young’s attendance record and willingness to work for the department’s new truck and shed.
    Tickets were also drawn for flower arrangements set on each table, and Phillips County Players members Jerry Brandt, John Chapdelaine, Penny Dockins, Dolly Smith, Karen Swan and Christopher Wright performed a short play.