The dinner at Church in the Pines was also a time to present a college scholarship, to acknowledge a retiring firefighter and to welcome new members to the volunteer firefighting team.
“The year 2008 was a year some probably want to forget,” Locklear told the 96 firefighters and their families. “It was a year when many lost jobs, the stock market crashed, old investment firms went bankrupt, and gasoline cost over $4 a gallon. All of this affected the fire department in some way.”
Locklear cited the contributions of board member John William Calhoun, who died March 24, 2008, and firefighter Danny Cofell, Jr., who was seriously injured the night of Sept. 18, 2008 after responding to a fire at Kordsa, USA. Cofell is continuing to recover from his injuries and was present at the meeting to receive the 2008 firefighter of the year award from the department.
There was good news to report as well. According to Locklear, the department reported five fewer fire calls than in 2007, 169 compared to 174; a North Carolina Department of Insurance grant was used to purchase fire equipment, and the two fundraisers held by the department were a success.
“We had some great fire prevention programs for our school children, and we (also) sponsored a little league baseball team,” Locklear said.
The fire chief also pointed out that the department’s Christmas parade float won a blue ribbon for the 13th time in 14 attempts.
“And we did not lose a firefighter competition,” Locklear said.
Locklear announced the winner of a college scholarship, awarded for the first time in honor of the late board member Calhoun, a former Scotland County commissioner who was instrumental in creating the Laurel Hill Fire Department in 1977.
Before presenting the award, Locklear recalled a conversation held between himself and Leon Butler, president of the board of directors, on establishing a fitting memorial to Calhoun.
“I knew what the fire department meant to Mr. Calhoun, so I thought (a scholarship) would be a nice way to honor a person that meant so much to this community, and at the same time aid the firefighting families he cared so much for,” Locklear said.
After procuring fireman’s relief fund money for the award, Locklear and the department board established the John William Calhoun Memorial Scholarship for dependents of Laurel Hill firefighters. The award was presented last year to a senior at Scotland High School to be used toward college tuition.
Jessica Lee was the recipient of the 2008 scholarship. Lee, the daughter of Tina Frier and stepdaughter of firefighter James Frier, is currently a student at Richmond Community College who plans to enter the school’s nursing program following her LPN certification.
“I was extremely excited to receive this award,” Lee said, “and I was not expecting it at all. The money proved to be a tremendous help to me during my first semester of college.”
Firefighter R. J. Pierce was acknowledged for his commitment to the department, retiring as a volunteer firefighter after 20 years of service.
Pierce was awarded “for answering the most fire calls five times in seven years,” Locklear said, pointing out that Pierce was selected as firefighter of the year in 1991. The former firefighter had perfect attendance at training meetings for 13 consecutive years, according to Locklear.
“Pierce was dedicated to this department and served us well,” Locklear said. “We want to thank him for helping make the Laurel Hill community a better place to live.”
New firefighters Chase Gibson, Freddie Hatcher, Mark Schopper and John Stubbs were acknowledged at the event, as were new junior
firefighters Dalton Floyd, Blake Gibson, and Jessica Hatcher.
Musical entertainment was provided by Nikki Edge.
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