The Cass County Emergency Services District 2 recently held its annual Christmas party at First United Methodist Church in Queen City, Texas.
Some 180 were expected, but 150 showed up on the cold, rainy night.
The CCESD Christmas party has been going on for 15 years now. It's a way to tell the community of the volunteers' work. Some years, someone, maybe even a community citizen, receives a life service award for an action that saved a life that year.
A featured speaker usually gives a spirited talk to the community. This year, Battalion Chief Jerry Wells of the Lewisville, Texas, Fire Department spoke on leadership and how to prepare it.
Also this evening, awards were given for both adults and youth cadets. Of these, the ESD has some 20 VFD members and some 30 cadets. The following were this year's recipients.
- Fireman of the Year: David Jackson
- Cadet of the Year: Drake Moore
- Cadets promoted to 2nd lieutenant: Asa Revey and Jay Stagner
- Flag Design Award: Seth Wilson
One of the district's accomplishments this year is especially noticeable to Queen City. The tall pole with its American flag at the front of the district's central station is new and lighted by three powerful lights. Still to come is a project for memorial bricks.
The district has also doubled its central station size, all accomplished by volunteers led by Assistant Fire Chief Eric White and involving the cadets as well as adults.
At the end of the party, which is catered annually by Tommie's Barbecue, a member of the community was heard to say as he walked out the door, "Someone needs to tell the story of this district. What they're doing is remarkable."