In the town of Mount Gilead, North Carolina, a centenary celebration intertwines with an act of recognition as North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey prepares to commend seven veteran firefighters for their unwavering service to their community, this comes at a time when the Mount Gilead Fire Department observes a momentous 100-year milestone during its annual Fall Festival.
The department stands proud upon the shoulders of these select individuals, who together amass 244 years of collective commitment; the event is slated for Saturday morning at the Mount Gilead Fire Department on East Allenton Street, where Commissioner Causey will bestow the prestigious Order of the Guardian Award to Chief Keith Byrd, Assistant Chief Tommy Gaddy, Mitchell Lucas, and Chip McAulay for their decades of service, while three others including Lt. Lynn Smith, Randy Browning, and Chris Lucas, will receive the Commissioner's Award.
In a statement issued prior to the event on the Department of Insurance website, Commissioner Causey lauded the group's dedication, "I congratulate these seven firefighters, and all of the Mount Gilead firefighters, for their dedication to protecting their community," emphasizing the sacrifices made by these individuals to ensure the safety of their surroundings—a sentiment reflecting the broader acknowledgment these public servants often receive.
