Local FOP lodge honors group for reaching 50 years of membership
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (April 13, 2023) – The Fraternal Order of Police Tuscora Lodge No. 4. is again celebrating members who’ve reached a milestone in serving and protecting.
President Bob Everett says the FOP held a banquet Wednesday night at the New Philadelphia Elks Lodge to honor seven men who have reached 50 years of membership.
“We’re quite fortunate to have a group that has hung with it this long and have been members,” said Everett. “Some attend functions, some aren’t able to, some live out of town.”
The lodge honored 10 members at its last 50-year service banquet five years ago. Sadly, eight of those members have since passed away.
“Thankfully, we had the foresight to do that, and they were able to take part in that ceremony,” Everett said. “They were so pleased, and I would say they were all elated with the outcome.”
National FOP Vice President Joe Gamaldi served as the guest speaker at Wednesday night’s banquet.
Those honored Wednesday were: Denny Vitt, Craig Kohler, Jeff Kirkbride, Chuck Davis, Rick Moran, Tom Staggers and Rick Campbell. An eighth honoree, Bill Fieger of Delaware, Ohio, was unable to attend.
Each was given a handcrafted gift, a 50-year membership pin, a challenge coin from Ohio FOP President Gary Wolske, and a commendation from the Ohio House and Senate.