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VFW pays tribute to veterans, police and firefighters
VFW Post 5184 recognized area veterans during a special tribute Sunday afternoon at the A.W. Todd Center in Russellville.
“It is humbling to even stand in front of this crowd,” said Col. Norman Lier, who serves as director of the JROTC program in the Russellville city schools.
“You all gave so selflessly and picked up and went away when your country needed you.”
The ceremony recognized members of all branches of the military and honored service men and women who served in all conflicts and peacetime since World War II.
The post also awarded their annual Firefighter of the Year and Police Officer of the Year awards.
Russellville firefighter Robbie Richardson, who recently returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, was presented with the Firefighter of the Year award.
A fellow veteran, Aaron Nichols, who spent time serving in Iraq, was honored as Police Officer of the Year.
“These are the people who are running to trouble when everyone else is running away,” said post commander Bill Jackson.
“These are our neighbors and our heroes.”