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George Thomas, hard-work ing Gladewater civic leader, former president of the Jaycees and presently serving as local representative of United Gas Corporation, was this year’s re cipient of the coveted ‘‘Fireman of the Year’’ award. The presentation was made Thursday evening by Thomas Gothard, assistant chief of the regular fire department, during the annual City Council-Fire man-Department Heads banquet held at Don’s Restaurant. Se lection of the Fireman of the Year is made by secret ballot among members of Glade water’s fine volunteer fire de partment who work hand-in hand with the regular depart ment. A humorous address by Dav id Claybaugh, Carthage post master and secretary-treas urer of the Texas Firemen's and Fire Marshals’ Association, swearing-in ceremonies for the newly elected officers of the local volunteer fire department, other awards and drawing for door prizes were other high lights of the banquet attended by 101 persons. Gladewater Fire Chief Harold Potts administered the oath of office to Mike Cannon as the new Chief of the volunteers. Other officers of the volun teers to take the oath were James Hanson, assistant chief; Emmanuel Turner, secretary treasurer; and Jimmy Black mon, sergeant-at-arms. Chief Cannon presented cer tificates of appreciation to various department heads for the fine cooperation and assis tance rendered to the depart ment during the year. These went to Police Chief Leon Sharrock; Water Department Superintendent Roy Perryman; and Street Department Superin tendent Matt Allen. Mrs. Harry Kates, publisher of The Gladewater Mirror, also received a certificate of ap preciation from Chief Cannon for the coverage and cooperation received from The Mirror. A perfect attendance record for the past year was posted by Jimmy Blackmon, who attended 100 per cent of the time — 45 meetings out of a possible 45; Mike Stegall was second with 44 and Jason Heath was third with 42. Door prizes of smoked tur keys were won by Emmanuel Turner, Randy Reynolds, Linda Hyden, James Rose and Vol unteer Fire Chief Buck Thomp son of White Oak. A Christmas arrangement, donated by Flow ers by Rose, was won by Frank Walker. Chief Claybaugh kept his au dience laughing and told of sev eral childhood memories from the time he was growing up with Gladewater Mayor Quentin Ab ernathy, his former neighbor in Carthage. In a more serious tone, he said he wanted to talk about some of his pet peeves. The first was television coverage of riots and other calamitous events. He said too often it was the radical (or hippie) type people who were interviewed. When you ask, he said, ask somebody who knows, ‘How about the people of Amer ica speaking up?’’ he urged. He said he was tired of the distaff side always being inter viewed. Another thing that he was tired of hearing, he said, was that “‘our young people are going to the dogs.’’ Listen to their music, watch their dress — the older generation once said the same things about us — and he spoke of the ‘‘Itty Bitty Fishes’’ and other songs of the 30’s. He said America wasn’t built by people who worked an eight hour day and it is always the busiest people who are doing the most for their communities they always have time to put first things first: their churches, fire departments, civic organizations. And he concluded with the idea expressed that we should stop saying the government was go ing to do ‘‘this or that’ regard less of what we do. ‘‘We need to (See FIREMAN page 5A) NEW OFFICERS of the Volunteer Fire Department were installed during the annual banquet Thursday evening. From left to right are: Volunteer Fire Chief Mike Cannon, assistant chief James Hanson, secretary-treasurer Emmanuel Turner, and sergeant at-arms Jimmy Blackmon, (Mirror Photos)
Newspaper Details
Gladewater Mirror
Gladewater, Texas, US
Sun, Dec 22, 1968
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Cathy S.
USA 02 Jan 2026
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