VIDEO: On Saturday morning, firefighters from across Rapides Parish gathered in Alexandria for Firefighters Appreciation Day. Families, friends, elected officials and community members filled the Alexandria Mega Shelter on September 20, to honor the men and women who risk their lives every day, and to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Speakers said there were no new names were added this year to the plaque of fallen firefighters.
KALB spoke with Dawson Brence, President of the Rapides Rarish Firefighters Association, about why this tradition matters. Brence responded with, โItโs important for us to remember not only our fallen brothers and sisters, but also celebrate and recognize the hard work and dedication that all of the fire service in Rapids Parish and all the fire departments in Rapids Parish do for us and our communities.โ
Cody Cloessner, chief of Glenmora Fire Department, also commented about what it means to be recognized: โ…All the firemen that serve our communities, that get up in the middle of the night and go…A lot of them, they do it for free,โ said Cloessner. โItโs a great honor to be honored here today.โ The association has hosted Firefighters Appreciation Day for over 30 years, which they said was made possible thanks to donations from community members.
