Article - Squad Banquet

Rescue Squad Honors Members at Annual Appreciation Dinner

By Terry Waldspurger

The past, present, and future of the Kent-Queen Anne’s Rescue Squad were celebrated on Saturday, January 21, 2006, during its annual appreciation dinner at the Chester River Yacht and Country Club. Over 160 people filled the country club’s banquet hall to partake in the festivities, which included a social hour and buffet dinner. After dinner, Chief Eric Jackson introduced and thanked the many guests from the county who supported the Squad and its members during the year, including guests from the six county volunteer fire companies, the police and health departments, the commissioners’ office, and local businesses. Charter and life members were introduced and acknowledged, and Chief Jackson presented each with a commemorative Rescue Squad badge. Leonard Miller was given special recognition for 20 years of service, and Carroll Younger became the Squad’s newest life member with 15 years of service.

In the forty-five years that the Rescue Squad has been in existence, 2005 was its busiest year with over 1,400 calls for service. Squad members handled each of these calls in a timely and professional manner. In appreciation for their dedication and hard work, Chief Jackson introduced and thanked the forty-two active members for 2005, presenting them with gift bags and certificates. Mary Grussing was once again top responder with over 1,100 calls in 2005. Training Coordinator JoAnne Donovan also honored several members who together completed more than 1,300 hours of EMS-, fire-, and rescue-related training in 2005.

Mary Grussing and Bruce Owens were voted “Members of the Year” by the squad’s active members. Both Mary and Bruce have selflessly devoted countless hours to the Squad. (Yes, Bruce is a pain but we still love him.) Miss Mary was also presented with a Lifetime Achievement award for responding to over 14,000 calls in 23 years of service; her tireless dedication is an inspiration to us all and elicited a standing ovation from the crowd. Eric Jackson’s five (no, six!) years of serving as chief were commemorated by presenting him with a watch and the first ever “Past Chief” badge.

Near the end of the evening, past chief and life member Bob Rust swore in the officers for 2006. The newly-elected officers include Chief Allan Schauber, Captain Eric Jackson, 1 st Lieutenant Bob Coleman, 2 nd Lieutenant Alex Dolgos, Treasurer Jim Johnson, Secretary Terry Waldspurger, and Member-at-Large John Dolgos.

Finally, Travis Nelson presented a slide show highlighting the forty-five year history of the Rescue Squad and weaving together its past and present. Eric Jackson capped off the evening with a surprise vocal rendition of Mariah Carey’s “Hero,” receiving a standing ovation for his effort. Squad members and guests departed for the evening secure in the knowledge that the future of the Rescue Squad looks especially bright.

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