By Justin Eger
reprinted with permission of the author
 
Our local firefighters don’t do the things that they do for
recognition. If they did, they would be sorely underpaid, as it isn’t
very often that people remember what these brave men and women do.
Ready to head out and protect the lives and property of the people in
their communities at a moment’s notice, local volunteer firefighters
give up much of their lives to be a part of the fire company, and
often without any sort of thanks. To do so for decades, as some do, is
an even greater achievement.

Last month, during the annual Christmas and Recognition Banquet held
by the Gallitzin Volunteer Fire Company, several members of that
organization were honored for giving more than two decades of their
lives in service to their community and to their fellow firefighters.
While swearing in officers for the new year, as well as simply
enjoying another year together as an extended family, the Gallitzin
Volunteer Fire Company presented six of their fellows with one of the
department’s highest achievements, the life membership award.
Life Membership Awards are presented to members of the Gallitzin
Volunteer Fire Company who have been active with the fire company as a
voting member for 20 years. Fire Chief Jim Nagle explained that
meeting that criteria is not an easy task, as members must respond to
a certain percentage of alarms and attend a certain percentage of
meetings, training sessions, and fundraisers.

“While I feel all of our members are dedicated and committed to our
organization, it takes a extraordinary individual to meet voting
requirements for 20 consecutive years,” said Nagle. “That is many
hours sacrificed away from families and functions to ensure the
success of the organization.”

Each of the six firefighters that was honored with their life
membership has completed that number, with some of them giving even
more years of service to the organization. George Kochara has worked
with the fire company for 25 years, while Dwayne “Butch” Garman, Jon
Nagle, and Donny Miller have each given 23 years of service. Mike
Sanders and Jim Nagle were recognized for their individual 20 years of
service. The six men join the ranks of life members for the Gallitzin
Volunteer Fire Company, which now numbers 30, with 21 of those members
still living.

“It was really a surprise, a great honor and truly humbling,” said
Chief Nagle of his own life membership, his a second generation
membership behind that of his father, Jack Nagle. “I have always said
that in 1989 I signed up to help the people of our community and never
imagined I would still be here, let alone fire chief and a life
member, 20 years later. There have been many trying times over those
20 years but definitely more good times than bad. I would like to
thank everyone that has helped me along the way. There is no way I
could have done this without them.”
 

New Life Members: (Kneeling left to right) George Kochara, Chief Jim Nagle and Jon Nagle. (Standing left to right) Assistant Chief Mike Sanders and Butch Garman

Life Members at Banquet: (Kneeling left to right) Mike Sanders, Jim Nagle, George Kochara, Butch Garman and Jon Nagle. (Standing left to right) Dave Urish, Doug Litzinger, Herb Nagle, Bob Malosky, Donny Jasper and Jack Nagle