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Page 16 May 2018 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
Graceham Volunteer Fire Company Holds Annual Banquet
Shelby Maly
Graceham Volunteer Fire help, and responds at all hours,”
Company held its annual banquet (left) 2017 Top Five said Kilby.
on the evening of April 7, 2018, at Responders: (from A special Squirrel of the Year
the Graceham Fire Hall. President left) Hilary Blake, Award was presented to President
Louis Powell, Jr. welcomed everyone Lara Gosbee, Brian Louis Powell for his dedication
Boller, Josh Helman,
to the exciting evening, celebrating and Tim Lott. through the year. He was awarded a
the volunteers. The pledge was led real squirrel’s tail from Val Kilby.
by the fire prevention ambassadors, The President’s Award was given
and Lieutenant Julie Durgan gave to lifetime member, Sterling Seiss.
the invocation. Members and President Powell explained, “Sterling
friends enjoyed a catered meal from Photos by Shelby Maly is well deserving of this award for his
Bollinger’s Restaurant. wisdom and leadership.”
After the meal, the program President Powell also awarded the
was underway. President Powell Hall of Fame inductee of the year to
presented the four fire prevention Brian Boller. Powell described Boller
ambassadors with gifts for their (right) 2018 Line as “team focused and passionate
hard work throughout the past year. Officers: (from left) about his position.”
Deputy Fire Chief and Director of Lieutenant Julie Durgan, As the program wound down, the
Captain Valaria Kilby,
Fire and Rescue Services Kevin Fox Assistant Chief Louis annual memorial service was held.
talked about the importance of the Powell Jr., and Chief Jim Vice President Gary Keller read the
small community fire companies. Kilby. fireman’s prayer. Two previous chiefs
He expressed his appreciation for were remembered this year: William
the members at Graceham. “It’s Getz and Kenneth Simmers, Sr. In the
important to rise up and make fire department, when the company
ourselves known. We’re running returns safely from a call, the bell at
a lot of calls and saving a lot of the fire hall is rung. Chief Kilby rang
money,” said Fox. (left) 2018 Administrative the fire hall bell twice in their honor.
Kathy Afzali presented a citation Officers and Board of Val Kilby presented a slide
from the Maryland General Directors (from left): show titled, “Reflection of the
(seated, front row) Treasurer
Assembly to President Powell. She Sterling Seiss; (standing) Past.” It showcased the 2017 year
expressed how great a company Assistant Treasurer Brian at Graceham, highlighting their
Graceham continues to be. Boller, Director Lara Gosbee, fundraisers, calls, fun times, and
Assistant Secretary A. Kate
A special presentation was held Miller, Secretary Julie trainings throughout the year. Laughs
by the family of Wayne Cook. Durgan, Director Valaria could be heard during the whole
On August 12, 2016, at 5:30 Kilby, President Louis Powell slideshow.
p.m., Graceham responded to a Jr., Vice President Gary Before the conclusion of the
Keller, and Director Josh
motorcycle accident. They helped Helman. evening, LAMSFA Chaplin Jean
in transporting Wayne Cook onto Main installed the 2018 officers:
Trooper 3, where he was flown to to hang on the wall at the station. calls), Lara Gosbee (46 calls), and Chief James Kilby; Assistant Chief
Shock Trauma. Wayne’s family was Chief James Kilby gave his Brian Boller. Chief Kilby presented Louis Powell, Jr.; Captain Valaria
told by doctors that if there would remarks, “We did very well in Graceham’s top five responders with Kilby; Lieutenant Julie Durgan.
have been any delay in response time 2017.” Graceham was alerted 285 new uniforms, as a token of the Administrative officers: President
by Graceham or by the Trooper, times in 2017, the company had company’s appreciation for their Louis Powell, Jr.; Vice President
Wayne would not be here today. an 89 percent response rate over hard work during the past year. Gary Keller; Secretary Julie Durgan;
“Good job, good work,” said Cook. the course of the year. Chief Kilby Chief Kilby presented the Chief’s Assistant Secretary A. Kate Miller;
The family, and Wayne Cook, also expressed his pride that the Award to Hilary Blake. She received Treasurer Sterling Seiss; Assistant
himself, presented President Powell company was debt-free. a challenge coin, inscribed with the Treasurer Brian Boller. Board of
and the first responders from that Top 5 responders for 2017 words: pride, commitment, and Directors: Valaria Kilby, Lara Gosbee,
day with a certificate of appreciation were: Hilary Blake (142 calls), Josh spirit. “Hilary is a go-getter, strong- Joshua Helman, Brian Boller, Nancy
and a plaque of the fireman’s prayer Helman (86 calls), Tim Lott (84 willed, doesn’t give up, willing to Keller, and Sterling Seiss.
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