By Dominik Lobkowicz
Neil Kimball (back), president of the Lincoln County Fire Chiefs Association, installs the 2015 officers of the Waldoboro Firemen’s Association: (from left) Bill Bragg, president; Brian Perry, vice president; John Blodgett, treasurer; Kyle Santheson, delegate to the Maine Federation of Fire Fighters; Gabe Cooley, delegate to the Knox County Firefighters Association; and Luis Ruano, secretary. (D. Lobkowicz photo) |
The Waldoboro Fire Department held its annual recognition banquet on Saturday, April 4, honoring some of its members as well as its supporters.
The Chief’s Award was presented to Lt. Roy Hatch, who Fire Chief Paul Smeltzer lauded for his efforts in keeping the department’s station and apparatus in working order.
The award is given to members who go above and beyond without seeking recognition, Smeltzer said.
Smeltzer also presented the Solomon Orff Community Service Award to Waldoboro resident Jean Lawrence
 |
Chief Paul Smeltzer presents the Chief’s Award to Lt. Roy Hatch. (D. Lobkowicz photo) |
“This year’s recipient has supported the Waldoboro Fire Department in true Sol spirit,” Smeltzer said.
Lawrence has become a part of the department’s family, Smeltzer said, attending nearly every department event in recent years and compiling the department’s history for its 175th anniversary.
“I am proud to say that she may be a little lady, but she is a giant in our department,” Smeltzer said.
“I’ve lived in this town since 1970, and I saw so many of you through high school, and it just does my heart such good when I see you as such fine citizens serving and helping your community and a variety of ways,” Lawrence said.
Firefighter John Emerson was presented with the President’s Award by Waldoboro Firemen’s Association President Bill Bragg.
Bragg described Emerson was someone who always rises to the occasion and steps up to help.
“Day and night he will come, he makes us laugh, and he makes us tell him to go home,” Bragg said.
State Representative Jeff Evangelos, I-Friendship, presented service recognitions to firefighters at the dinner.
“I really honor the job you’re doing, and the same goes for the ambulance service, too,” Evangelos said.
Among other service recognitions, Capt. Robert McNally was honored for 40 years service to the Waldoboro Fire Department, Lt. Bill Bragg for 35 years, and Assistant Chief Bill Maxwell and Capt. Mark Gifford for 30 years service.
Memorial donations from the firemen’s association of $500 each were presented to the Medomak Valley Little League in memory of late fire department supporters Randy Raymond and John Murray III.
