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Page 16 May 2016 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
Graceham Volunteer Fire Company Banquet
Grace Eyler
On April 16, 2016, members and the President’s Award had been a
guests of the Graceham Volunteer member of the fire company since
Fire Company joined together to she was seventeen years old. She was
celebrate the company’s successes recognized as being the go-to person
during the past year over dinner at for working with children, giving
their year-end presentation. good insight to the fire company, as
Graham VFC’s President, Louie well as representing Graceham Fire
Powell, stood before the audience to Company during Fire Prevention
welcome special guests from around Week at the Thurmont Primary
the county who made a special trip School. “I couldn’t do my job
to be a part of the company’s 56th without her keeping me straight,”
anniversary. joked Powell. The recipient of this
President Powell called upon year’s President’s Award was Hillary
the Morningstar family for a Blake.
special recognition in remembrance Not only did Hillary receive
of a beloved member of the fire recognition for being the Top
company, George (Junebug) Responder and President’s Award,
Morningstar. Mr. Morningstar had but Chief Kilby then awarded this
passed in March 2016. Powell made Graceham Volunteer Fire Company’s Administrative Oficers year’s Chief’s Award to her as well.
sure to let his loved ones know that Doc Simmers was called forth by
they are a part of the family and Photos by Grace Eyler the Chief and President for being a
thanked them for their presence. dedicated member of the company
Graceham’s Chief Jim Kilby for fifty years. As a thank you to
reviewed that in 2015, Graceham Simmers, the Fire Company made
ran a total of 228 calls. Out of the a special shadow box that holds his
228 calls, there were 20 to which first jacket, badge and helmet. They
the fire company was unable to plan to proudly display the box on a
respond. Kilby reported, “We were wall in the building.
unable to make them because most After the awards were presented,
of our members work during the Brian Boller came forth with
day time, when these happen.” Frederick County Fire and Rescue
Graceham is known as a “100 Coordinator, Chip Jewell, to honor
Percent Volunteer Fire Company” the two members Graceham lost this
which is not staffed all hours of the year. Leslie “Sonny” Sovocool, Jr.
day. was the last member who was one
During 2013 and 2014, of the original incorporators of the
Graceham VFC had no property loss Graceham Volunteer Fire Company.
due to fires. However, that changed He passed on October 17, 2015.
in 2015 with three major fires; one Chip Jewell swears in the Pictured are Top Responders “Sonny” was recognized for
on Old Frederick Road, one on oficers of the Graceham Hilary Blake, Brian Boller, and spending three decades on keeping
Creagerstown Road, and one on Volunteer Fire Company. Sonny Grimes. the company up and running.
Jimtown Road. These fires resulted He was one of the first EMTs of
in a little over $200,000 in damage. Frederick County.
“Out of all those calls, one of George Morningstar, active in the
our volunteers was there for 118 with 64 calls. They all modestly Before Chief Kilby could exit company for the past fifteen years,
responses!” said Kilby. Hilary declined the award, indicating the podium, President Powell asked recently passed on March 22, 2016.
Blake was Graceham’s number that as line officers, it is their main him to remain while he announced In recognition of those lost, Mr.
one responder this year. Other responsibility. Sunny Grimes had to Kilby that he wanted to specially Jewell rung the fire station bell three
top responders included Chief 36 calls, Brian Boller had 34 calls, recognize him for the work he times for each member lost. Prayer
Kilby with 73 calls, Scott Willard Michele Powell had 26 calls, and does behind the scenes with the was followed with Pr. Sue Koenig.
with 72 calls, and Louie Powell Kelly Willard had 25 calls. company. Kilby makes sure that all Following the Memorial Service
of his volunteers are up-to-date on and year-end review, Graceham
training, making sure the company’s installed the new officers for 2016.
equipment is ready to go on a Officers included Louie Powell,
moment’s notice. Powell added that President; Bill Morgan, Vice
Kilby reaches out to members to President; Hillary Blake, Secretary;
see how they are doing, if there is Julie Durgan, Asst. Secretary;
anything they need. He is a mentor, Sterling Seiss, Treasurer; and Brian
teacher and a leader. As members Boller, Asst. Treasurer. Operational
clapped, Louie presented Chief Kilby Officers included Jim Kilby, Fire
with a special recognition award. Chief; Louis Powell, Jr., Asst. Fire
The next award that was Chief; and Val Kilby, Captain.
presented is always a difficult choice Pr. Sue Koenig ended the evening
for any president. Powell said, with Benediction. If you’d like more
“It is always hard to choose just information on volunteering for the
one person, because every one of Graceham Volunteer Fire Company
our members is a vital part of the or to find out what events are
organization, and that’s the God’s coming up, please visit them online
honest truth.” The recipient of at http://gvfc18.webs.com/.
Graceham Volunteer Fire Company Banquet
Grace Eyler
On April 16, 2016, members and the President’s Award had been a
guests of the Graceham Volunteer member of the fire company since
Fire Company joined together to she was seventeen years old. She was
celebrate the company’s successes recognized as being the go-to person
during the past year over dinner at for working with children, giving
their year-end presentation. good insight to the fire company, as
Graham VFC’s President, Louie well as representing Graceham Fire
Powell, stood before the audience to Company during Fire Prevention
welcome special guests from around Week at the Thurmont Primary
the county who made a special trip School. “I couldn’t do my job
to be a part of the company’s 56th without her keeping me straight,”
anniversary. joked Powell. The recipient of this
President Powell called upon year’s President’s Award was Hillary
the Morningstar family for a Blake.
special recognition in remembrance Not only did Hillary receive
of a beloved member of the fire recognition for being the Top
company, George (Junebug) Responder and President’s Award,
Morningstar. Mr. Morningstar had but Chief Kilby then awarded this
passed in March 2016. Powell made Graceham Volunteer Fire Company’s Administrative Oficers year’s Chief’s Award to her as well.
sure to let his loved ones know that Doc Simmers was called forth by
they are a part of the family and Photos by Grace Eyler the Chief and President for being a
thanked them for their presence. dedicated member of the company
Graceham’s Chief Jim Kilby for fifty years. As a thank you to
reviewed that in 2015, Graceham Simmers, the Fire Company made
ran a total of 228 calls. Out of the a special shadow box that holds his
228 calls, there were 20 to which first jacket, badge and helmet. They
the fire company was unable to plan to proudly display the box on a
respond. Kilby reported, “We were wall in the building.
unable to make them because most After the awards were presented,
of our members work during the Brian Boller came forth with
day time, when these happen.” Frederick County Fire and Rescue
Graceham is known as a “100 Coordinator, Chip Jewell, to honor
Percent Volunteer Fire Company” the two members Graceham lost this
which is not staffed all hours of the year. Leslie “Sonny” Sovocool, Jr.
day. was the last member who was one
During 2013 and 2014, of the original incorporators of the
Graceham VFC had no property loss Graceham Volunteer Fire Company.
due to fires. However, that changed He passed on October 17, 2015.
in 2015 with three major fires; one Chip Jewell swears in the Pictured are Top Responders “Sonny” was recognized for
on Old Frederick Road, one on oficers of the Graceham Hilary Blake, Brian Boller, and spending three decades on keeping
Creagerstown Road, and one on Volunteer Fire Company. Sonny Grimes. the company up and running.
Jimtown Road. These fires resulted He was one of the first EMTs of
in a little over $200,000 in damage. Frederick County.
“Out of all those calls, one of George Morningstar, active in the
our volunteers was there for 118 with 64 calls. They all modestly Before Chief Kilby could exit company for the past fifteen years,
responses!” said Kilby. Hilary declined the award, indicating the podium, President Powell asked recently passed on March 22, 2016.
Blake was Graceham’s number that as line officers, it is their main him to remain while he announced In recognition of those lost, Mr.
one responder this year. Other responsibility. Sunny Grimes had to Kilby that he wanted to specially Jewell rung the fire station bell three
top responders included Chief 36 calls, Brian Boller had 34 calls, recognize him for the work he times for each member lost. Prayer
Kilby with 73 calls, Scott Willard Michele Powell had 26 calls, and does behind the scenes with the was followed with Pr. Sue Koenig.
with 72 calls, and Louie Powell Kelly Willard had 25 calls. company. Kilby makes sure that all Following the Memorial Service
of his volunteers are up-to-date on and year-end review, Graceham
training, making sure the company’s installed the new officers for 2016.
equipment is ready to go on a Officers included Louie Powell,
moment’s notice. Powell added that President; Bill Morgan, Vice
Kilby reaches out to members to President; Hillary Blake, Secretary;
see how they are doing, if there is Julie Durgan, Asst. Secretary;
anything they need. He is a mentor, Sterling Seiss, Treasurer; and Brian
teacher and a leader. As members Boller, Asst. Treasurer. Operational
clapped, Louie presented Chief Kilby Officers included Jim Kilby, Fire
with a special recognition award. Chief; Louis Powell, Jr., Asst. Fire
The next award that was Chief; and Val Kilby, Captain.
presented is always a difficult choice Pr. Sue Koenig ended the evening
for any president. Powell said, with Benediction. If you’d like more
“It is always hard to choose just information on volunteering for the
one person, because every one of Graceham Volunteer Fire Company
our members is a vital part of the or to find out what events are
organization, and that’s the God’s coming up, please visit them online
honest truth.” The recipient of at http://gvfc18.webs.com/.
