JUDGE: Great fire departments serve Milam County
All of the fire departments in the county are composed of volunteers. These are generous men and women who give of their time and money to serve all of us in our most critical time of need. Please get out and support the local fire departments and thank those who volunteer.
Chief Henry Horelica of Cameron is retiring after 50 years of dedicated service to the department. He announced his retirement at the Cameron VFD fundraiser, held in Cameron on Feb. 12, 2022. Chief Horelica has done an outstanding job for all of the citizens of Milam County and he will be sorely missed. Kenny Mingus volunteered as the VFD auctioneer and praised Chief Horelica for his calm, life saving, knowledgeable expertise when the sale barn caught on fire in 2020.
Chief Herbie Vaughn of Rockdale has been elected to serve as the new president of the Fire Chief’s Association as Chief Horelica is retiring. Chief Vaughn recently took over as chief of the Rockdale Fire Department and is doing an excellent job. He will appear on the Milam County Judge show on Wednesday, Feb. 16. Tune into KMIL or KRXT Wednesday morning at 9:05 a.m.
Chief Earnie Glenn of the Minerva Fire Department appeared at Commissioners Court on Monday, Feb. 14, to pay back the county for special funding to equip a new fire truck. The department had been gifted a used, large truck from the Forest Service, but it had to be retrofitted as a fire truck. The county loaned the fire department money to retrofit the truck and after some fund raising and donations, the money was recouped and the County was reimbursed. A win-win for all of us. The department held another successful fundraiser last Saturday evening in Rockdale at the Kay Theater.
Chief Kain Dodd of Milano and the Milano VFD will hold a fundraiser this Saturday, Feb. 19 in Milano. This is the annual chili supper. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. with live music and a live and silent auction. Come out and support the Milano VFD.
Thorndale Fire Chief Eric Melde and his department are making good progress with plans for a new fire station in Thorndale. The fire department has raised approximately $100,000, but it will cost in excess of $1 million to complete the new station. Come out this Thursday evening, Feb. 17, for its monthly dinner at the Thorndale VFD, get some good food and make a donation.
Gause Fire Chief Scott Koening reports that the Gause Fire Department will hold its major fundraiser on Saturday, April 9, beginning at 11 a.m. This is a BBQ dinner with all of the trimmings that is held once a year. Come out and enjoy some good food and fellowship and support the department.
Each year Milam County donates to each fire department and I am happy to report that we increased the amount of the donation every year to every department. However, it is not near enough and that is why it is so important that we all get out and support those who take care of us in our hour of need. Thanks to every fire department in Milam County and to each and every volunteer!