Citizens honor those who protect, serve

More than 240 citizens filled the Bairfield Activity Center last Wednesday, September 11, to honor the men and women who protect and serve Donley County.

The ceremony was opened by local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, who presented the colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Dan and Brittany Hall sang the National Anthem, and Charla Crump gave the invocation.

Chamber of Commerce President Jim Blackerby welcomed the crowd.

“We’re celebrating those who protect and serve us locally,” he said. “They show us on a daily basis that they are our heroes.”

Lacey Austin, a Clarendon College student from Lockney, recited a brief poem.

Clarendon Mayor Tex Selvidge and County Judge Jack Hall recognized the individuals and organizations which serve the citizens of the county. Those included the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the Greenbelt Lake Patrol, the Texas Department of Transportation, the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Donley County Sheriff’s Office, the Hedley Volunteer Fire Department, the Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department, the Associated Ambulance Authority, and the Clarendon Firebelles.

David Galassi, general manger of Burlington Northern-Santa Fe’s Texas Division, offered his company’s appreciation to all the men and women who helped this spring when two BNSF trains collided outside of Clarendon.

“Thank all of you for the kindness and generosity during the collision,” Galassi said. “We witnessed many acts of heroism toward helping us and in saving our man’s life.”

Later in the evening, District Judge David McCoy delivered a patriotic address which touched on the September 11 attack of last year but focused on the extraordinary efforts of ordinary Americans and the American veteran.

“America is made what it is by American heroes,” McCoy said. “Not by the Lincolns or the Washingtons; they have their place. I’m talking about ordinary Americans like you and me.”

The judge gave several examples of ordinary people who made a difference in the lives of others and paid tribute to a high school friend who gave his life in Vietnam.

McCoy’s speech was followed by a Power Point presentation of patriotic images and a special arrangement of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” as prepared by Childress County Judge Gene Currie.

General hosts for the evening were BNSF Railroad, Clarendon College, and the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce. The event was organized by Genella Eads and Greg Henry.

Country Bloomers Flowers & Gifts and Always & Forever Harlan’s donated arrangements for the evening, and Alan Graham provided the refreshments.