The awards ceremony was held at the Emergency Services Building on M-95. The photos below show the EMS and Fire Deparment Awards cabinet in the background.
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The presenter of the awards were the members of the Republic Township Board. From left to right, they are: Ms. Faye Mattila, Treasurer; Mr. Steve Koski, Trustee; Mr. Gary Johnson, Supervisor;. Seated between Ms. Mattila and Mr. Koski is Ms. Shelly Koski, Committee person.
From the Master of Ceremonies, Gary Johnson...
Thank you Fred Nannestad for taking pictures. Fred voluntarily maintains our web site for us, and has established us as a "go to" site on the internet. I'd ask you to go to that site, to see the results of this ceremony.
When the last presentation ceremony was held, Shelly Koski said, it was too bad this wasn't held more often because there were so many people who deserved to be recognized. So she, Vickie and Faye decided to be the committee to run this one. The names were requested as usual, three from each of the emergency services and one from each service organization, with an alternate in case of duplication. The names were sent through a separate committee of clergy people, and the awards today are the result.
The one point we want to make is, those people being recognized today were nominated by their peers, not by us. And it was gratifying how happy others were to see someone in their group being recognized, even though they themselves probably deserved it just as much.
I don't believe there is a person alive who hasn't helped someone, somehow. And it isn't done for pats on the back, though they don't hurt, but it's done for the feeling inside of us.
We've been blessed with hundreds of volunteers over the years, most going without that pat on the back. They've come from the villages, and the rural areas. From Silver Bay to the Fence River Road, to the River Road, and to the villages.
We've had people pull people out of Chief Lake, who fell through ice fishing, we've had people pull weeds out of the school sidewalk. People helping the elderly, and People volunteering at the school. A gentleman by the name of Wayne Basal spent an entire 24 hour period putting out hot spots during the Fence River Road fire using a 55 gallon drum to carry water in the back of his truck, and a pail.
How about the group that is now building the Heritage gardens? That garden could grace the cover of Birds & Blooms magazine. We have a special thank you award for that group. Olga Williams will accept that award.
We depend on volunteers for our quality of life, our safety, and, our lives.
The first nominee, comes from the safety area. These are the people that not only try to save your house when it's on fire, but also keep the neighbor's house from joining it.
This nominee is one of the most dependable (if I dare say that) members of the department. Every activity that I've seen where the Fire Department has been represented, this nominee has been there. Assistant Chief, my last impression of this nominee is him pulling hose for the fire this past spring on the Fence River Road. I could run on for half an hour, but, Joe Dumoulin, would you please come forward.
The second nominee, I don't know if I should call him the second grandfather, or the godfather, (along with "Tuchon" Kerkela) of the fire department. He's been in the department for over 20 years, been the secretary almost all of them. He was also the member that didn't know that a fire he was responding to was a training fire on an abandoned house. He ran around like crazy trying to put the fire out, until he notice the other members were laughing like crazy, leaning against the fire trucks. This is one of the guys that all the young members look up to, Pat Radcliffe.
And third, in Memoriam, David Mattson, Sr. David was our Mr. Fixit. He always made sure every truck was repaired and maintained properly. Dave was taken from us way too soon, and he is dearly missed. The Fire Chief, Al Koski, will receive Dave's award, for the family.
Our EMS service membership has swung like a wild pendulum. We get a bunch of people trained, and get ready for the attrition. We'd go from 6, 8, 10 people, down to three or less, until we can train some more. Bum out rate for a volunteer EMT averages 7 years. And we lose a lot of them after a couple years. Why do they bum out? As the one EMT said, it doesn't matter if it's Christmas eve, New Year's day, 3 in the afternoon or 3 in the morning. When you are needed, you go. And you go, often. 50 or more runs per year.
Our first EMT nominee was here during the lean membership years. When they used to pull someone out of the office, or off the street, to drive the ambulance because there were only two people responding. Teamed up with Mazie, this lady was part of a team that never lost a patient. I told this lady several times, if I ever went down, I wanted her and Mazie to be the ones transporting, I had that much faith in them. Diane, you rank right up there with the best ever on the system. Diane Perry.
Our next nominee couldn't be here, because she is on the scene of her new grandbaby coming into the world. Always there, always dependable, and a great asset to the service. A great calming influence on the younger members. Or, as much as you can calm down an adrenalin loaded EMT at three 0' clock in the morning. Ethyl Valenzio.
Photo Not Available.
In the quality of life area, we asked the service groups to nominate whomever they thought would be a good example of a volunteer. It could be a member of their group, past member, or just a member of the community.
Our first nominee was recommended by the Historical Society, and is involved in just about anything happening in the area. President of the Society, involved in all of their activities, and, incidentally, a doggone good cook, Mary Iou Martin.
A second nominee, Mr. John Crady, had to miss our ceremony. His activities lap several organizations, Mr. Community/Churches Photographer, Mr. Lions President, Mr. Hunting Safety, Mr. how many other labels can we put on John? I guess Mr. Community Minded would also be appropriate. Sally Nannestad will accept John's award in his absence.
The next nominee is from Republic Community Services. Recommended because of all of her years of community work this young lady is finally getting the recognition she deserves. President of the Republic Community Services for how many years? Sits on the township Board of Review, helps out at the school, takes care of the elderly in her spare time, Carol Nicholas is there any way you don't help out in the community?
Our next nomination comes from the St. Vincent DePaul organization. They have nominated a person that is Mrs. Dependable. St. Vinnies is staffed by a very small group of "regulars", and many times issues will come up when the store would have to close if it weren't for someone who will drop everything and help out. This lady is their Mrs. Dependable, Pat Myers.
Our next nominee in this category comes from the Lions Club. This person has held every office within the club, but she sure doesn't channel all of her efforts through it. She is also a very active member of the St.Vinnies' organization, holds the job of secretary for their Board, works on the various community activities such as Church activities, the Ethnic Days Festival Committee, National Night out, etc.. Kathy Johnson.
We have a special "member at large" that was nominated. Back when the Ethnic Days was first started this lady offered to sell ads in a booklet, to help pay the bills. She was successful then, and she hasn't stopped helping out anyone who needs it. Still going strong, She was even helping out during one of the last St. Augustine's pasty sales. Even though she doesn't belong to that church, she was down there chipping potatoes, and giving me a hard time. Gail Ritola.
We have a very special mention for two young people who responded to a medical emergency in South Republic when Nancy Weidenberg's mom, Lorraine, fell on her porch, Jordan Wixtrom and Tyler Thompson were walking by. Jordan went to comfort Lorraine, and Tyler ran to call 911. We are very grateful to both of them for their actions. Jordan is here, but Tyler couldn't be to accept his award, so his grandmother is here in his stead.
As stated, a separate Committee reviewed the nominees, and chose the volunteer of the year. Mrs. Kathy Johnson, would you please come forward.
We are very grateful to the organizations who helped us with the nominees, and we are happy to be the vehicle to make your feelings known, We are simply acknowledging what your peers have told us they think of you.
Food and refreshments are available, if you care to stay.
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