First Baptist Church of Italy honored our local volunteer fire department on Sunday. Pastor Ronnie Dabney opened the service by welcoming all firefighters, family and friends. A video was shown to honor the fallen of Sept. 11, 2001. A heartwarming chorus of “The Star Bangled Banner” could be heard outside the church as everyone lifted their voices with pride.

In honor of our local firefighters, a slide show of a few calls the local volunteers worked over the past year was presented to the assembly. Each member present was recognized by name and Chief Don Chambers gave a lapel pin of service. Members present were:

Randy Boyd
Jackie Cates
Michael Chambers
Brad Chambers
Sal Perales
Lynn Lambert
Josh Droll
Daniel Ballard
Tommy Sutherland
Russell Coers
Shedric Walker
Adam Muirhead
Eric Bradley
Pastor Ronnie Dabney

Members mentioned that are inactive due to illness or injury were Greg Richards, Joe Campbell and Victor Delephine. Firefighters present from other cities included Todd Pittmon and Randy Muirhead.

Chief Chambers thanked First Baptist church for honoring the firefighters. He spoke to the volunteers by saying, "I have come up with one word to describe our firefighters. And that word is compassionate. Webster defines this word as a concern for the troubles of another; sympathy. John 15:12-13 says, ‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.’ I believe these verses describe who we are and what we are about.

“We need to offer each other encouragement, increased confidence and support. Our firefighters make a conscious decision and do not take their calling lightly. This job is stressful, exhausting and dangerous. We are here today to celebrate all the good within your heart. You are a brotherhood.”

Chambers explained to the congregation, “These guys help create order out of total chaos.” He also reminded us,“Thank the volunteers, recognize them and when you see the fire truck coming down the road with lights flashing and sirens blaring, simply move out of the way quickly and pray for them.”

Pastor Dabney remembered all firefighters and recalled the feeling after 9-11, “When tragedy struck, afterwards we became one color, one class, one generation, one gender, one faith, one language, one body, one family, one soul and one people. We should be proud to live in America and have men and women that help us like these firefighters.”

Dabney finished by saying, “There is a lot of fear but we all have a lot of faith.”

The serviced concluded and a delicious potluck was provided by different volunteers from First Baptist.