Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Leesburg Assistant Fire Chief Mitch Rader remembers a fireman who would hop over the fence to get to the fire station. That same firefighter took home each fireman's helmet and personally put the letters PTFD on each one.
"My father is looking down, and I am sure he is very proud tonight," said Rader, after he was named Kosciusko's County's 2004 Fireman of the Year. "He guides me and looks after me."
Rader decided to follow in his father's footsteps 26 years ago and has been fighting fires ever since.
In a letter recommending Rader for the award, his comrades praised his dedication to fire service.
"... His 26 years of service have been active ones. The number of hours he has contributed to his department would be impossible to count. ... The first time you meet this distinguished fireman your first impression is of a man who always listens before he speaks which is an admirable quality in anyone who is in the fire service."
In his years of service, Rader has served as president of the Kosciusko County Fireman's Board, department secretary, second assistant chief and chief.
"What a surprise," said Rader. "This is going to look funny in the Times-Union, me presenting this award to myself."
Also receiving an award was Mentone Fire Department Lieutenant Doug Miller. A 14-year veteran with the Mentone Fire Department, Miller was presented with the 2004 Service Award. Miller is a training officer and is active in the fire prevention program.
In the letter recommending Miller, his fellow firemen said, "He is always the first person at the station and the last person to leave."
"I thank God for putting me on the department at Mentone," said Miller. "And I thank my wife (Lori) and son (Justin) for putting up with me."
The Kosciusko County Firemen's Association also presented a special award to the K21 Foundation for its contributions to area fire departments. Willis Alt, director of the K21 Foundation, accepted the award, but returned the thanks to the firefighters.
"Thank you for risking your lives everyday to save someone in our county," Alt said while accepting the award.
During the ceremony, a boot was passed around to gather money for the Hoosier Burn Camp fund. Thursday night the passing of the boot netted $212. That will be added to the $3,150 raised through the combined efforts of area firemen. The money will be used to send at least 15 young burn victims to the camp in Lafayette.
The Mentone Fire Department earned the attendance award for the department with the most members at county meetings. Ten departments were recognized for perfect attendance, having at least one member at each of the year's county meetings - Atwood, Burket, Claypool, Etna Green, Leesburg, Mentone, North Webster, Sidney, Warsaw and Winona Lake fire departments.
Each department also handed out "Attaboy Awards" to special members. This year's "Attaboy" winners were: Chad Heckaman, Atwood; Jason Neher, Claypool; Frank Swick and Greg Brazo, Burket; Lloyd Shroyer and Bob Cleveland, Leesburg; Jim Eads, Mentone; John Conley, Syracuse; Shirley Fetrow, Warsaw; and all the Winona Lake firefighters.
