Published: October 07, 2008 10:36 am      

First responders honored with banquet

Sheriff Alford given humanitarian award

Barbecue, live music and calf roping marked the second annual Serving Those Who Serve Day on Saturday at the Johnson County Sheriff’s Posse Grounds in Cleburne.

Pastor Danny Moon, president of the Johnson County Fire Chaplains Association, organized the event, which honored first responders, emergency care officials from CareFlite and fire and police departments throughout Johnson County.

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, State Rep. Rob Orr, R-Burleson, Johnson County Judge Roger Harmon, County Commissioner R.C. McFall and other officials attended.

“There’s no greater gift than a person who has a servant’s heart,” Harmon said.

Orr expressed similar sentiments.

“A lot of people say it’s a job, and they’re getting paid for it,” Orr said. “But I think it’s much, much more than that. It’s something you have to have a love and passion for, to do a job most people couldn’t.”

Edwards compared first responders to those serving in the military.

“Like them, you put yourselves at risk everyday to protect our families and communities,” Edwards said.

Local Boy Scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance and Jeremy Green, senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Joshua, delivered the invocation before attendees lined up to fill up on barbecue supplied by Chesapeake Energy. Billy Cate, the Chisholm Trail Cowboy and his sidekick, Rancho Ron, entertained guests with cowboy music while they dined.

After lunch, Moon presented Sheriff Bob Alford with the organization’s Humanitarian Award for his service to the county.

“This is really because of everyone in my office and all the first responders in the county,” Alford said. “You all are the ones who do all the work.”

Moon also presented two plaques of appreciation to John Downing, Chesapeake purchasing and materials coordinator. The first was in appreciation of Chesapeake funding this year’s event. The second recognized Leah King, Chesapeake director of community relations, for her efforts toward Johnson County and the Johnson County Fire Chaplains Association.