Photo by Ron Thomason
Friends and families gathered to enjoy the evening of good
company, food and recognition.
Photo by Ron Thomason
Cookie and Jim Bragg were happily chatting with others in
attendance.
Photo by Ron Thomason
All of Town Council made an appearance in honor of the fifty
year recognition of Leonard Melfi by Chief Marc Melfi.
Photo by Ron Thomason
Chief Marc Melfi, Captain Steve Cochran, Asst. Chief and
Mrs. Steve Leslie provide the perfect picture of the camaraderie that was
apparent throughout the night.
Photo by Ron Thomason
Leonard Melfi in discussion with Buddy Melfi. Melfi was honored
for his fifty years of service during the annual celebration.
By Kelly Lax
The Summerville Sun
Everyday, a local group of people go to work like the normal populace.
Most days are filled with routine tasks and paperwork. Yet, on any given
occasion, these individuals may be called to rescue fellow citizens,
restore order within the community and would be prepared to, if necessary,
give their own lives in a quest to fulfill their duties.
Summerville's fire and police departments recently held their annual awards
dinner at the Dorchester Boat Club. Accompanied by their families and
friends, the guardians of the town, gathered to recognize length of
service, dedication and episodes of valor from the past year. A highlight
of the evening was the award to Leonard Melfi, who has been responding to
tones at The Summerville Fire Department for fifty years. In most of those
years, he has also received acknowledgement for responding more often than
any other volunteer. Closely following in years of service were Tom
Finucan and Sam Cox with forty five and thirty years respectively.
The Summerville Police Department was honored with twenty years of service
from Brenda Nevins. Other awards given by the police department included:
Lt. Robert Catlett, Cpl. Robert Shingler, Pfc. Anthony Mire and Pamela
Stonier for ten years service; Detective Cpl. Laura Gibbons, Pfc. William
Tolson, Pfc. Ernest Brown, Pfc. Trey Hardy, Pfc. Sydney Aiken, Pfc. Hobart
Williams, Pfc. Blain Locklair, Pfc. Jason Bombard and dispatcher Tiffany
Peterson for five years service. Special awards were given to Pfc. Trey
Hardy, Officer of the Year, Ptl. Robert Christie, reserve Officer of the
Year and Cadet Jacqueline McGrue, Cadet of the Year. Awards of Valor were
presented to Lt. Ron Thomason, Sgt. Doug Wright, Pfc. Mike Files and Pfc.
Gary Scaggs. Mark Deitch, owner of Oscar's, was recognized for sponsoring
the Officer of the Quarter program and Fern Michaels for her continuously
generous support.
The Summerville Fire Department recognized Chief Marc Melfi for thirty
years of service; Steve Cochran, Dale Nevins, and Frank Nigro for twenty
years; J.D. Allston, Michael Cochran, Larry Jameson, Jimmy Cronin, John
Dudley, John Kahler, Kenny Sott and Richard Waring IV for fifteen years;
Jeff Goodman, Lee Moore-Cochran and Bruce Owens for ten years; and Jacob
Evans, Gregory Gaines, Michael Hunt, Karen Johnson, Thomas Keefer, Ryan
Stormer and James Wing for five years. Firefighter Thomas Keefer recorded
the most responses for the year and Leonard Melfi had the most from a
volunteer. Volunteer of the Year was Kenny Sott and Firefighter of the
Year was Jacob Evans. Sterling Wright was distinguished as Explorer of the
Year. Life Saving Awards were given to Michael Cochran, John Kahler,
Walter Chapman, III, Adam Browning and Doug Wright.
