VFW hosts awards banquet
Carl Dry presents a Certification of Appreciation to Grimes County Sheriff Deputy Preston Goode. The certificate was presented in appreciation of Goode’s “act of protecting and getting medical aid for an injured American Bald Eagle.”
Grimes County VFW Post 4006 presented several awards at its award banquet Thursday, Feb. 20. Pictured L-R: Linda Bay, Carl Dry, Adelia Grace Holt, Georgia Molitor, Kayla G. McClellan, Bryanna Grace Surovik, Leland Fougeron, Tim Frazier and Commander Tony Lambert.
Grimes County Veterans of Foreign War Post 4006 treated three local students, two teachers and a counselor and their families to an awards banquet including a delicious spaghetti and meatball dinner.
Junior High students Bryanna Grace Surovik, an eighth grader at Somerville Junior High and Adelia Grace Holtey, a seventh grader at Richards Junior High were each awarded the “Patriots Pen” which included a certificate and $200.
Kayla G. McClellan, a Richards High School senior was awarded the “Voice of Democracy,” and was presented with a certificate and $500.
Winners from both awards were required to write essays on the topic “What Makes America Great.”
Two teachers were awarded the “Smart Mayer Teacher Awards.” Both teachers are from Richards ISD. Linda Bay is an Elementary teacher and Tim Frazier is a Secondary teacher. Each teacher received a certificate and $100.
The Post also heard from Sheriff Deputy Preston Goode, who was invited to share his experience attempting to rescue an American Bald Eagle that was found on the side of the road in Grimes County. Carl Dry presented him with a framed certificate for his efforts. Molitor said Goode was also offered $100 but donated it back to the VFW.
“He [Goode] is a veteran and an awesome guy,” said Molitor. “He also is a member of the Todd Mission Voluntary Fire Department and never accepts a free sandwich at the Whitehall VFD fundraiser. He always pays and adds a donation.”
More than 20 guests attended the banquet along with a large number of Post and Auxiliary members.