By Rich Rygh
The Oregon Area First Responders’ Steering Committee consisting of Oregon Lodge No. 151, Oregon Chapter No. 49 OES and the Oregon-Brooklyn Optimist Club; along with the Oregon area community came together on August 25 to honor their first responders and Oregon Oakhill Correctional Officers and celebrate the 130 years of service of the Oregon Fire Department.
Pictured above, Brother John Graham, presents three Electric Vehicle Fire Containment Blankets to the Oregon Fire/EMS District purchased by Oregon Lodge with matching funds from the Wisconsin Masonic Foundation “Acts of Kindness”. From left: Advanced EMT Daniel Schultz, Firefighter Myles Kading, Fire Chief Glenn Linzmeier (at podium), Paramedic William Naviaux and Brother John Graham.
Photo courtesy of Oregon Fire Department
The colors were presented by the Oregon-Brooklyn VFW Post 10272. The singing of the National Anthem was lead by Bro. Dennis Josi, John Cuda, Ondra Williams and Kent Williams.
A fly-over was conducted by the UW Med Flight Helicopter.
It was the fourth annual celebration with a budget of over $16,000 coming from the sponsoring organizations, the Oregon business owners and the citizens of the community. It featured free food and entertainment for the first responders, the correctional staff and their families. It gave members of the community an opportunity to say “thank you”.
Award were presented within the various departments for outstanding performance and life saving events.
There was a bounce house face painting and a future young fire fighter event for the children.
The event was closed with a prayer by Oregon Lodge Chaplain, Past Master Denny Erfurth.
