Seventy years of service and the 86th birthday of Gaston’s deputy fire chief Ed Porter Sr. were honored Monday night.
State Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey presented Porter the Order of the Guardian, the agency’s highest honor.
Causey not only honored Porter, but the department as well. “I have used this fire department as a model all over the state for how to recruit volunteers in the fire service. We’ve got a whole roomful of cadets here. A lot of firefighters have come through the kids camp here. It’s the biggest one I’ve seen.”
After presenting Porter the order, Causey led the audience in singing Happy Birthday to the long-time firefighter.
“I just want to take the time to thank you for your decades of service,” the commissioner said.