The Colquitt/Miller Co. Volunteer Fire Department held its 23rd annual Christmas and Awards Banquet, Tuesday evening at Cotton Hall.
Asst. Chief Ken Roberts welcomed the crowd and asked Chaplain Ken Barwick to ask the blessing on the food.
After a delicious BBQ dinner with all the trimmings prepared by “world famous” Burnell Grant and crew, Chief Craig Tully thanked Mayor Jerry Chapman for his support for the fire department all the years he has been with the city.
Mayor Chapmen told the crowd of firemen and their guests that a lot is going on in the city, and as the city grows, the fire department must grow to meet the needs of the safety of the residents of Colquitt and Miller County. He said that under Chief Tully’s able leadership of the fine volunteers that the best fire department in Georgia will be ready for anything that comes along.
Chief Tully thanked the mayor for the kind words and introduced another friend of the firemen and fire department, Cory Thomas, Colquitt City Manager.
Mr. Thomas told how he and Chief Tully “discuss” almost daily the needs and wants of the fire department and men, He jokingly stated that although Chief Tully is hard to get along with, he is honored to work with such fine, well trained, dedicated people in this fire department. Thomas stated that public safety is always at the top of the list in Colquitt.
Thomas said that although Chief Tully doesn’t blow his own horn, it needs blowing. “The city mayor stated that not only does Chief Tully lead one of the best fire departments in the state right here in Colquitt and Miller County, he also represents us and the state as vice president of the Georgia Fire Chiefs. He leads in the state organizations and teaches other departments all over Georgia how to be successful firefighters,” Thomas added.
Chief Tully apologized that the guest speaker could not be with them because he had duties that called from one of his fallen firefighters. Chief Tully then gave a black wrist band for each fireman to wear to remind them that every fireman would return from duty.
Tully told that this fire department has and would continue to work on four things to make fire fighting safer for those volunteers.
1- How the firemen drive coming to and from the fires on personal and department vehicles. He stated that was one of the primary causes of death for firemen coming to and from the fire scene.
2- Heart attacks - He stated that the department would continue to require firemen to get in better shape with physical fitness programs. Tully stated that heart attacks take out many firemen because they go from a sound sleep to giving 110 percent in a matter of minutes, and being fit will help this area.
3 - Common sense would be practiced and required. He said that all firemen are at risk when they are fighting to save life or property, but unnecessary risk would not be tolerated by the firefighters. He stated that it was different when people are inside a burning structure and when no one is inside. The procedures of fire fighting would be different.
4 - Teamwork - The chief said that this department works as a team, and that is why they have been successful is saving lives and property. There are no heroes, but firemen working together as a team.
The chief stated that of the 27 departments that he visited recently over the state, only one had the equipment and training that the Colquitt/Miller County Volunteer Fire Department has. He stated that he would put this group up against or over any department in the state.
Tully said that the firemen in this department make him look good. He stated that when they started many years back with the logo, “When Called, We Respond,” they meant every word of it and still do. He added that there are only five of the original firemen left, but they are some of the best and most well-trained leaders in the state.
He said, “I am proud to be a part of all of you.”
The next part of the program was the awards voted on by the firemen.
Rod Bryan was over the newest group, Cadet firemen. These are young men who are not old enough to fight fires but want to learn. They get to do what other firemen don’t want to do, and they do it well. The cadet firemen chose Justin Whitaker as the Cadet of the Year.
Chief Tully presented the rest of the award plaques.
Zack Taylor was given Rookie of the Year. This is fireman who have been in the department for less than two years.
For the first time ever, Chief Tully stated that the Leadership Award had a four-way tie. He stated that this shows that we have leadership in the department. The recipients of the Leadership Awards went to: Rodney Bryan, Rod Bryan, Emanuel “Shadow” Haire and Jeff Braswell.
The top award for the night, the “Pa” Zeke Fire Fighter of the Year went to Rodney Bryan.
A number of people were thanked for putting the banquet together, especially Jennifer Trawrick and the ladies who got up the hundreds of dollars to purchase Christmas Toys for Tots.
Prayer was asked for one of the firemen who was fighting for his life with health issues.
Jeff Braswell presented a gift from the department to Chief Tully for his able leadership and the time he gives.
The chaplain was asked to give the benediction to end the banquet for another year.
Tell our volunteers “Thanks” for risking their lives to help save our lives and property. That’s all they get for their services to us.

At times, it isn’t all that bad hitting the three-quarter century mark.
Dot Wainright hit the enviable age of 75 last Wednesday, December 13. She had requested that if someone gave her flowers, to give her Christmas poinsettias. She got what she wanted, plus five vases of 15 roses in each of different colors.
Dot is the public relations director at Miller County Hospital, par excellence. When someone needs something done that requires hard work, collecting funds, lots of volunteers to do the job and leadership with a smile, Dot is called on to perform her job. She seldom gets a break from her many duties
At the Senior Breakfast last Thursday morning, another one of Dot’s great ideas for Miller County Hospital, she told about some of her rosy day on her 75th birthday. The large crowd was told of how she had five children who came along so fast that they were named A,B,C,D, and E - Al, Buddy, Corky, Dottie and Eric.
It seemed that the children got together to make this three-quarter of a century birthday a little more special with flowers. One of the Cook clan figured that if each sibling would send 15 roses to their mother, that would be a rose for each year. Dot didn’t know anything about this plan by her five children.
The first vase of 15 roses came in early on the morning of Dot’s birthday to her office in the hospital. After that, the other four vases of 15 roses each came in almost hourly. There were red roses, pink roses, lavender roses, yellow roses and white roses. Her office was filled with birthday roses from all of her children.
It was a very happy birthday for this very young-at-heart lady who continues to do good works in this area.

The Miller County Elementary School Counseling Department, along with the Miller County Sheriff’s Department, teamed up to sponsor a drug-free and violence prevention program for the students at Miller County Elementary School. Funding was made available, through the Miller County Sheriff’s Department and a drug-free t-shirt sale through the counseling department, to invite Pam Weeks, an entertainer and spokesperson, along with her dog Buffy, played by Sheila Rogers and vocalist Debra Roberson, to promote self-esteem and drug-free/anti-violence messages to the students. Their program is designed to help young children build positive self-esteem, proper conduct, drug-free awareness, and conflict resolution through the power of music, song, and fun.
During the months of October and November, the elementary school counselor, April Tabb, taught students a drug prevention curriculum, Too Good for Drugs. The drug-free program introduced important skills and attitudes the students will need to avoid drug use in the future, build self-confidence, develop decision making and critical thinking skills, and understand limits related to healthy eating, activities, and relationships.
In addition to receiving the Too Good for Drugs lessons, every grade level worked on songs with the music teacher, Holly Thomas. The songs reinforced the lessons being taught in the counseling department. Furthermore, the counseling and music departments, along with the elementary school resource officer, Shane Rathel, worked together to plan and implement a Drug-Free Rally during Red Ribbon Week activities this past October. The students and staff would like to thank all of those who made this year’s drug awareness activities possible.

Week of December 17, 2006