Area Firefighter and EMT Take State Honors

By Jessie Boyett
for The Banner

The Banner/STPNS

February 28, 2008

BERNICE, Louisiana (STPNS) -- Firefighters, law enforcement officers and those who cover medical emergencies are viewed as heroes by those they serve.

VFW Post 5442 Commander James "Jake" McKeithen had the honor of selecting three local citizens to represent Farmerville Post 5442 for the VFW's annual Gold Medal Public Servants Safety Awards. Those recognized by Post 5442 included Farmerville Firefighter Mike Allen, Chief Deputy Don M. McClanahan, and RNC,EMT-P- Deborah Self.

To qualify, each participant must be recognized by colleagues or those they serve. They must show consistent excellence in their performance of their duties. They must also show consistent dedication of their official responsibilities over a period of years and continuous growth in responsibilities and skills within their profession.

Each participate submitted personal information and memorabilia about their activities and services rendered in their individual field of expertise. The information was assembled into scrapbooks by the local post, which were then submitted to the VFW state officers for judging. The judges themselves were non-VFW members.

Out of approximately 120 posts statewide, which includes 11 Districts, a first, second and third place winner was selected in each field. Deborah Self was chosen as the first place EMT Gold Medal winner and Mike Allen took second place in the Firefighters' Division. All first place state winners go on to compete on a national level. Should they win, they will be invited to attend a ceremony which will be held in Orlando, Florida in late summer.

At the VFW/ Women's Auxiliary Mid-Winter Conference held in Alexandria, Louisiana February 8-10th, Gold Medal winners were presented their awards for their outstanding services.

Representing Post 5442 Women's Auxiliary at the conference were Johnnye McKeithen and Jessie Boyett. Johnnye received a Certified State Recruiters Certificate as did her husband Jake McKeithen. They were presented their certificates by Federico M. Arends, State Jr. Vice Commander. Sr. Vice Commander Kenneth Boyett was also in attendance.

Post 5442 meets the first Saturday of each month at 10:00 AM at the American Legion Post. The Ladies Auxiliary meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the American Legion Post.

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