Auglaize County, OH (WLIO) - First responders don’t always get the thanks and recognition they deserve, so the Wapakoneta Masonic Lodge wanted to change that. They held their first ever First Responders’ Recognition and Awards dinner Sunday night. The Masons decided to honor the men and women that work for the Auglaize Sheriff’s Department, Wapakoneta’s Police, Fire, and EMS. Each of the organizations submitted just accomplishments of three individuals, without their names, and then members of the lodges decided who would get the award. Caleb Schwartz recognized for the Fire and EMS, Patrick Green for the police department and Samuel Blank for the sheriff’s office.
“I know a lot of times when you put a uniform on there seems to be an invisible wall between civilians and uniforms and I want to get past that,” says Kenneth Hengstler, Master of Hamer #167. “I want them to understand that we appreciate what they are, we appreciate who they are, and what they do for us.”
The Wapakoneta Masons say they are going to hold the award ceremony again next year and hope to make it a little bit bigger.
