VFW Post 6937 Present 2024 Community Service Awards

Ashley Ritter, Edmonson County EMT was awarded EMT of the Year.

Edmonson Voice Report:
On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, Brownsville VFW Post 6937 presented community service awards to four Edmonson County public servants.  Following a catered dinner at the Heritage Centre in Brownsville, Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest Winner Samantha Ulm read her patriotic paper and Voice Of Democracy Speech winner Brayden Johnson gave a rendition of his winning speech, both of which set the tone for the community service awards which followed.  The awards were presented by Post Commander Edwin Vincent.
 
Teacher of the Year went to South Edmonson Elementary School music teacher Jessica Doyle.  Jessica was nominated by Post member Ray Durbin who noted her significant contributions throughout the year.  It was also announced that Mrs. Doyle had been selected for submission, along with one other VFW 5th District teacher, to State VFW Headquarters for consideration for recognition at that level.
 
EMT of the Year, Ashley Ritter, was nominated by EMS Director Keith Sanders. Ashley is a licensed Paramedic whose work was lauded by several of her former ambulance patients present in the audience.  In her acceptance of the award, Ashley expressed how much she loved living and working with the citizens of Edmonson County.  Ashley has also been selected as the VFW 5th District EMT of the Year and her nomination package has been forwarded to VFW State Headquarters for consideration there also.

Mrs. Jessica Doyle was named Teacher of the Year.

Truman Waddell was named Police Officer of the Year.

Pete Tarrantino, Jr. was named Firefighter of the Year.

Police Officer of the Year, Deputy Truman Waddell, was nominated by Edmonson County Sheriff James Vincent for his response to a March 2024 domestic dispute.  Deputy Waddell is credited with isolating an aggressive knife-armed subject while removing a threatened citizen to safety without resorting to further violence, according to the sheriff's office.  Deputy Waddell, a recent DOCJT Law Enforcement Academy graduate was previously awarded Fireman of the Year for his volunteer service in that public service arena.  Like Jessica and Ashley, Truman has also been selected at VFW 5th District and his package has been forwarded to State Headquarters.
 
The Firefighter of the Year award went to Chalybeate Fire Department Captain Pete Tarrantino, Jr who was nominated by Fire Chief Daniel Johnson.  All of our county fire fighters serve as volunteers but in this case, Captain Tarrantino also serves as professional firefighter in Owensboro.  Pete has been selected as the 5th VFW District Fire Fighter of the Year and like our other awardees, his package has been forwarded to State Headquarters.
 
"To all of the above honorees, thank you for your accomplishments and your service to our community," said VFW Post 6937 said in a released statement. "We are proud to have you as friends and neighbors."