(From left to right) VFW Post 5184 Commander Bill Jackson presents Aubrey Harris and Bobby Brown their awards as Firefighter of the Year and Police Officer of the Year, respectively, at the Veterans Reception at the A.W. Todd Center Sunday.

By Macy Reeves for the FCT

Sunday was a banner day in downtown Russellville – the Veterans Day parade took place, followed by the VFW Veterans Day reception.

The American Legion’s parade honors veterans who served to protect the nation and are heroes for protecting the people’s freedoms.

Following the parade was the reception at the A.W. Todd Center. For the past nine years members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5184 have honored one firefighter and one policeman at the reception.

VFW Post 5184 Commander Bill Jackson, Probate Judge Barry Moore and Mayor David Grissom presented firefighter Aubrey Harris the Firefighter of the Year Award and Officer Bobby Brown the Policeman of the Year Award for 2015.

Harris and Brown both agreed that receiving these awards from the VFW was a great honor.

“It means a lot coming from the veterans with all they do for our country. It’s a great honor for me to get this award from them,” said Harris.

They were also gifted plaques and engraved knives. The winners are nominated from their respective departments. Their resumes are sent in, and the VFW chooses a winner from the nominations.

The reception focused on the veterans, with two from World War II, two who had Purple Hearts and many who served in Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq, from different parts of the military.

“Today is about veterans. We want folks to go and talk to them,” said Jackson. “Make their day – this is their day.”

“The reason they call America the land of the free is because of the men and women who have paid for freedom, not only for me, but for everyone,” said Brown, in his speech.

With today being Veterans Day, thank a veteran, for his or her service to this country.