About 25 Henry County law enforcement, fire and emergency medical personnel were on hand at Foursquare Gospel Church Sunday morning for a service and free lunch in their honor. The service was called Cultivating Honor, and special music and guests filled the sanctuary and then the gymnasium where a meal was served.
New Castle Mayor Greg York described the public servants as underpaid, understaffed, and making do with secondhand equipment but said that they serve every day because they love their communities.
York spoke of the recent deaths of two Knightstown children and how local personnel answered the call, and then were stone silent as they drove away from the scene, no doubt thinking about their own families.
He told the personnel that they are prayed for weekly in the Foursquare congregation and that they represent honor and respect. To the congregation and guests, York said “I assure you this community is protected the best it could possibly be protected.”
New Castle City Council member Rex Peckinpaugh prayed a blessing over the personnel, mentioning their love and service to the community. He prayed that they be given resources they didn’t know they even had, that their families be blessed and that they have peace. “Let them know you are right there with them,” he concluded.
Following the indoor, morning worship service, which included Greg Wardlow singing “God Bless the U.S.A.,” the special guests, community servants and congregation met outside for the honor guard to present the colors. Then, the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem were repeated and sung. The guard honored those who have fallen. There was then a benediction and blessing from the mayor followed by a free lunch in the gymnasium.
A display of emergency vehicles was on the grounds, along with a fly-in of an emergency rescue helicopter, which the children enjoyed looking over closely.
Henry County Sheriff’s Deputy Derek Bertrand was on hand with his family. He said of the service, “It was a very nice program. It was nice to see all the support.”
Phillip West, who serves with the New Castle EMS, said, “I love the community, I love the comradary. I think it was nice, very, very nice, very welcome.”
