Annual Greenbelt Event Honors Service Members

The Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad Inc. and Ladies Auxiliary’s 56th Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony honored the unsung heroes who serve and protect the community.

Although it was a dark and stormy night outside, light-hearted laughter filled the firehouse on Saturday night as members of the firehouse, their family and friends were able to look back on the past year and give thanks to those who made it great.

The night began with a social hour at 6 p.m. followed by a buffet-style dinner at 7 p.m. The hall buzzed happily as elegantly-dressed friends exchanged inside jokes and biking stories over the sounds of a rattling fan overhead.

The longtime dedication of the fire department was apparent as awards were given after dinner.

Firefighter of the Year was awarded to Adam Anthony-Pyndell, a live-in service member who was additionally honored for answering 937 calls last year.

Also awarded for their outstanding amount of calls were four other live-in service members: Robert Tripe for 972 calls; Eric Martinez for 823 calls; Andrew Moffit for 563 calls; and Jeremiah Voigt for 459 calls.

Awarded for their outstanding number of calls were five service members who lived outside of the firehouse: Nick Lasick for 403 calls; Jennifer Benton for 360 calls; Emily Wasil for 319 calls; Doug Hess for 302 calls; and Kelly Lawson for 264 calls.

Also awarded were five married service members for their outstanding number of calls answered: Augustine Garcia for 322 calls: Luis Arias for 248 calls; John Voigt for 242 calls; Matt Kulle for 155 calls; and Greg Gigliotti for 92 calls.

His son standing in for him, Maurice J. Palmerton was honored for his 50 years of service to the community.

Both Kenneth L. Stair, president of the VFD and Rescue Squad since 2009, and Michael W. Dutton, who both started out as junior associates together, received an award for 45 years of service.

John C. Voigt was honored for 40 years, Wayne Lewis for 35 years, Vernon C. Iseli for 20 years, John E. Daffron for 10 years, and Morgan Anderson, Chris Doyle, Warren Porter and James Stoddard for five years.

Recipients of this year’s Chief's Award recipients were Christopher Ransom and Andrew Moffitt.

Additionally, a new treasurer, Lawrence E. Hughes, was sworn in for next year.

Lastly, the president’s award went to Aleksy L. Szachnowicz for his service in 2010.

The Ladies Auxiliary was also honored for its ongoing help and support to the fire department. “The auxiliary does do as much as we can,” said Teresa Ann Crisman, Ladies Auxiliary president, who was honored for her 25 years of service to the department.

Teri Heinicke was awarded for 15 years of service and Maria Snoddy for five years.

Also awarded were Pauline Bordas and Cleo Dutton for their 57 years of service in the Ladies Auxiliary.

Fire Chief Thomas L. Ray deeply thanked all those who were awarded. “They gave their all, and I really appreciate that,” he said.

The VFD and Rescue Squad is in the middle of its annual fund drive and is always in the process of looking for new volunteers.

“We are always looking for ways to be a more active part of the community,” Master Police Officer Kelly Lawson said.

The evening concluded with dancing late into the night.