The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
Serving up the food at the first responders' barbecue.
The Gillette Honor Guard folds the flag during the event.
Last Saturday, Pine Haven's Over the Hill Gang and the Pine Haven Fire Auxiliary celebrated first responders and their families with a barbecue lunch and a program to honor these valiant volunteers.
Of the 59 guests who attended, 20 were first responders and, as each arrived, they were given a thank you card with a surprise coin inside. The coins given to the volunteers were designed specifically for the first responders and were provided to be a memory of these special moments, a specific fire coin for fire fighters and all-branches coin for others.
This is the second year the event organizers gave out these special "challenge" coins and the guests expressed their pleasure with smiles and comments.
Crook County Sheriff Jeff Hodge shared some of the history and symbolism of the original military remembrance coins with the audience, saying, in part, "In Rome, if soldiers excelled in battle one day, they would receive their typical day's wages along with a separate bonus coin each. According to some accounts, these bonus coins were specially minted, featuring the marks of the legions from which they came. As a result, some soldiers apparently kept their coins as mementos, instead of spending them on wine and women."
The Gillette Honor Guard marched with the flags and shared the meaning of the folding of the United States flag while demonstrating the ceremonial tribute.
The lunch of brisket and sides was consumed with laughter as families, old and young shared a beautiful day and a wonderful meal with like-minded souls, some bold, others quiet, but all with the heart of a hero.
