Fincastle Volunteer Rescue Squad President Jayson Parr welcomed volunteers, their family and guests to an awards banquet at The Homeplace in Catawba on Nov. 4, 2012. Prayer was said by Suzan Keith, Fincastle Rescue Squad chaplin

Jayson recognized special honored guests attending the banquet which included Billy Martin of the Blue Ridge Board of Supervisors; Spencer Suter, formerly serving in Botetourt County administration; Jerry Burgess former Botetourt County Administrator; Kathleen Guzi, new Botetourt County Administrator; Jack Leffel of the Fincastle Board of Supervisors; and Camille Moore and Nathan Herlocker, both of Botetourt County Emergency Services.

The awards ceremony preceded the dinner. Awards were presented by Jayson Parr and Captain David Bush. Those awards included:

Member of the year was a tie. Both Jayson Parr and Garry Taylor received awards.

Top Senior Member was a tie. Both Tasha Parr and Terry Schodowski received awards.

Top Officer was a tie. Both David Bush and Jayson Parr received awards.

Top probationary member was awarded to Garry Taylor.

Top EMS call runner was awarded to Jessica Hensley

Top call runner was awarded to Garry Taylor.

Awards for most volunteer hours logged in service were awarded to Matthew Schodowski and David Bush.

Fincastle Rescue Squad honored the three career staff lieutenants of Botetourt County EMS for all of the support they have provided to the membership throughout the year. Individual plaques were awarded to Camille Moore, Gracie Humbert and Anthony “Farley” Douglas.

Jerry Burgess and Spencer Suter were recognized in appreciation of the high level of support that they have given to the squad over the past years. They each were awarded Honorary Lifetime Memberships to Fincastle Rescue Squad. Both gentlemen made statements honoring the volunteers of Fincastle Rescue for their service to the community and for being the backbone of the emergency medical services.

Charles Berger of Virginia Emergency Medical Services was unable to attend the function but was also awarded a plaque in appreciation of his help and support given to Fincastle Rescue.

Captain Bush thanked the members for all of their hard work, time and effort that they had put in the past year. Following his statements, each of the honorary guests briefly thanked the volunteers for their commitment to their community and also recognized the volunteers families for the support each of them gave to their volunteer that enabled them to continue to serve.

–submitted by Terry Schodowski