The Centre on Main was filled with some of the ‘heroes’ from the county as they were honored during the first-ever Leitchfield Rotary Club Hero’s Dinner on Tuesday, December 1.

The local law enforcement and fire departments as well as the, military, and emergency medical services were all recognized for the work they do to keep the streets of Grayson County safe.

Each fire department was recognized and several chose an individual as a hero to be awarded.

Leitchfield Rotary President Steven Elder defined what a hero was. He said, his hero as a child was Superman and talked about the things that made Superman his hero. He then defined what a true hero was by the Webster Dictionary definition and how that definition fit the departments and personnel in attendance.

“A hero is defined as one who performs feats of nobility and purpose,” said Elder. “This program is an attempt to recognize those who render and perform outstanding service to this community.”

Following Elder’s speech, Secretary Jonathan Decker spoke about each of the emergency service departments in the county and recognized each of the following departments: Clarkson Fire Department, Caneyville Fire Department, Falls of Rough Fire Department, Wax Fire Department, Anetta Fire Department, East Grayson County Fire Department, and Leitchfield Fire Department.

The Ronald Hudson Award was presented by First Assistant Fire Chief Jerry Schlosser to Tim Duvall of the Leitchfield Fire Department.

The Caneyville Police Department, Clarkson Police Department, and Leitchfield Police Department were all recognized.

The Elmer Langdon Award was presented to by Leitchfield police Chief Bart Glen to City Police Detective Gary Troutman.

“I appreciate the Rotary Club for hosting this dinner and for the award,” said Troutman. He also spoke of the honor of receiving an award named for the late Elmer Langdon.

The Grayson County Sheriff’s Department was recognized and Sheriff Rick Clemons spoke for a few minutes of his appreciation to the Club for the dinner and honoring all the Heroes with the event.

He spoke briefly about his battle with meth and his desire to do his very best to protect the citizens of Grayson Co.

The Grayson County Sheriff’s Award was presented to Detective Terry Blanton for his efforts heading the battle against meth in the county.

Grayson County EMS were recognized and Grayson County Emergency Medical Services Director Kevin Pharis also thanked the Rotary Club and spoke about the evolution of the department over the past 25 years.

Pharis spoke of the training and qualifications of all of his employees

“This award is being presented someone who showed a genuine concern for his job 24 hours a day whether he was on call or not,” said Pharis. The Grayson County EMS Award was presented to Lonnie Stone.

The last department to be recognized during the evening was the local National Guard Armory.

First Sergeant Ricky A. Clemenz spoke about the three National Guard Award honorees with the first presentation being awarded to Sergeant Joshua White,

“This guy is the model soldier who does exactly what he is supposed to do as a soldier without any fuss or any fanfare,” said Clemonz.

The second presentation was to a soldier that Clemenz felt had truly earned the awards and medals, which he had received throughout his career.

“Sergeant Pat Douthitt was honored not just for the awards and ribbons he received,” said Clemonz, “But this honor included the firefight in Iraq which left him and many others injured.”

The third and final presentation to a soldier by Clemenz was to a soldier who was currently out of duty due to injuries sustained in combat.

Sgt. Timothy Elliot had suffered injuries while deployed.

Elliot spoke briefly of his appreciation of the dinner and stated that Douthitt was the reason for him moving to the area.