Fire Rescue members honored at annual banquet

RBC | At the 85th annual Meeker Fire Rescue Banquet on Saturday, March 9, Gary Merriam received an award for his 40 years of service to the department.
Some, not all, of the members of Meeker Fire Rescue, were present Saturday to receive their recognition awards for years of service, presented by Fire Chief Luke Pelloni (right front), who has been with the fire department for 23 years, serving as chief since last summer. Back row: Steve Allen, Bill Smith, Tobey Willey, Jacob Jorgensen, Joseph Otte, Danielle Larson, David Taussig, Brent Keyes, Rich Merriam, Zach Allen, Vaughn Moody, Gary Merriam. Middle row: Charlie Day, Ricky Jeffrey, Laura Smith. Front Row: John Mac Sheridan, James Richardson, Nancy Richardson, Patti Merriam, Fain Richardson, Michelle Smith and Luke Pelloni.
This year Charlie Day, the newest member, and Bob Ruckman, oldest retired member in attendance, had the honor of carrying out the longstanding tradition of cutting the cake together.

Meeker Fire Rescue members recognized for their years of active service:
40 years: Gary Merriam
27 years: Deby Merriam
26 years: Steve Allen
25 years: Brice Glasscock
24 years: Vaughn Moodie
23 years: Luke Pelloni
21 years: Nancy Richardson
20 years: Fain Richardson
19 years: Joe Larson
18 years: Laura Smith
17 years: David Taussig
16: Bill Smith
13 years: Zack Allen
12 years: Rich Merriam
9 years: Patti Merriam
8 years: Ray Price
7 years: C. Alan Cogswell, Jamie Cogswell
6 years: Jacob Jorgensen
5 years: Gardner Mendenhall
4 years: Wade Bradfield
3 years: Jacob Smith, Danielle Larson
2 years: Ricky Jeffrey, David Murray, Paul Shelton, Roger Hall.
1 year: Darshan Merrell, James C. Richardson, Brent Keyes, Michelle Smith, Joseph Otte.
Less than one year: John Mac Sheridan, Michael North, Jessi Bayles, Melissa Kindall, Michael Chappell, Cody Crooks, J’Leah Richardson, Charles Day.
Departed Members: Al Wear, Wilber Richardson and Chris Strate

By Niki Turner | [email protected]