First Responders Honored In September

American Legion Ohio Post 572 Commander Tony Kessler, left, US Congressman District 16 Jim Renacci, right.

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On September 16 American Legion Ohio Post 572 presented the 2nd Annual First Responders Appreciation Night "Heroes Honoring Heroes" held at the Holiday Inn Ballroom in Independence. Event organizer Tony Kessler, Commander of  American Legion Ohio Post 572, stated that what had originally been a plan to honor a few First Responders ultimately grew into an event to honor all of our First Responders. The event featured a wonderful dinner along with entertainment by "Rick and the Cutting Edge", Honor Guards from American Legion Post 572, Parma Police and Parma Fire, and the Cleveland Fire Pipers. The special Guest for the night was American Legion Department of Ohio Commander Stanley A. Pleasant, and the Keynote Speaker was U.S. Congressman Jim Renacci from the 16th District. Hostesses included Miss Greater Cleveland Madeline Carter, Miss Northern Ohio Stephanie Shoop, and Pure International Young Miss America, Hailey. Even the newest member of the Parma Police K-9 Unit, Officer Max was there to celebrate, along with his human partner Patrolman Jason Campana.

The awards ceremony, the main focus of the evening, featured an award for Police Officer of the Year to Robert Beverage, Citizen of the Year for Andrea Delfs, the nurse who rendered first aid to injured motorists and saved the life a toddler in the process, and Business of the Year to Mission BBQ. It was very inspiring to see that just in our own community there are so many individuals who go to work each day never knowing what dangers and challenges they may face and so often commit heroic acts as the matter of routine as they carry out their duty. The Public is well served by these fine citizens, and we owe a debt of gratitude to American Legion Ohio Post 572 for making sure that they are recognized and thanked for all they do.