VFW Post 3278 of Brownwood honored citizens for their service to the community on Thursday night.  Each recipient was chosen by their supervisors for going above and beyond to serve the community while they performed their job requirements.

The following were honored, pictured with VFW Ladies Auxiliary President Major Jane Masters and Master of Ceremony and Sr. Vice Commander, James Masters of VFW Post 3278:

Brownwood Police Department: Communications Supervisor Jim Hicks

Fire Department:  Fire Officer Lieutenant Kyle Whitley and Firefighter Trent Thompson.  Whitley and Thompson were not able to be present to accept their awards.

Heart of Texas EMS:  Robert Rodgers

Guardian EMS:  Melvin Walker, EMT-Basic

Heart of Texas Veteran’s Clinic:  Fred Frenandez, Social Worker

TDCJ Havins Unit:  Officer Jackie Hicks, CO V

Also honored were local Gold Star Families whose children gave the ultimate sacrifice during the past 12 years that the U.S. has been at war in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Those families include:

Family of Mario Castillo

Family of Craig Ledsome

Family of Tevan Nguyen

Family of Marieo Guererro

Winners of the VFW’s Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essay contests were also recognized.  Each year the VFW holds a contest for area students on local, district, state and national levels.  Students are honored with a plaque and cash prizes.

Patriot’s Pen Essay First Place Winner:  Cassidy Milton (not able to be present at the ceremony)

Voice of Democracy Essay Award Winners:

Third Place:  Megan Jackson

Second Place:  Cheyenne Gordon

First Place:  Sierra Gordon.  Sierra will represent the local VFW Post at the national competition in Washington, D.C. with her essay “Why I’m Optimistic about America’s Future.”  She was one of ten state winners who were chosen to advance to this national competition out of more than 300 entrants.

Pictured at top are all award recipients.