Senator Dawn Buckingham recognizes San Saba County VFDs for fighting major fires; HCCA and Ministerial Alliance also recognized for their community work after Lowe’s fire

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  • Pictured are our special guests and representatives from the area VFDs. (L-R) Shelby Slawson, Chris Stewart (SS Fire Chief), Mike Poe (RS), Winston Poe (RS), Tommy Morrison (Cherokee), David Norris (EG), Colt Broyles (Cherokee), Doug Chapman (EG), Senator Dawn Buckingham and August Pfluger. (Photo by Djuana Payton)
    Pictured are our special guests and representatives from the area VFDs. (L-R) Shelby Slawson, Chris Stewart (SS Fire Chief), Mike Poe (RS), Winston Poe (RS), Tommy Morrison (Cherokee), David Norris (EG), Colt Broyles (Cherokee), Doug Chapman (EG), Senator Dawn Buckingham and August Pfluger. (Photo by Djuana Payton)
  • (L-R) Shelby Slawson, Captain Jack Blossman (SS), Senator Dawn Buckingham and August Pfluger (Photo by Djuana Payton)
    (L-R) Shelby Slawson, Captain Jack Blossman (SS), Senator Dawn Buckingham and August Pfluger (Photo by Djuana Payton)
  • Accepting the recognition on behalf of the Hill Country Community Action and the Ministerial Alliance were (not in any particular order): Tara Shaw, Christy Pierce and Ashley Johnson of Hill Country Community Action. (Photo by Djuana Payton)
    Accepting the recognition on behalf of the Hill Country Community Action and the Ministerial Alliance were (not in any particular order): Tara Shaw, Christy Pierce and Ashley Johnson of Hill Country Community Action. (Photo by Djuana Payton)
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Texas Senator Dawn Buckingham visited our town last Friday, September 25th, and one of her stops was the San Saba VFD Firehouse. Captain Jack Blossman was there to welcome her and her colleagues, and took them inside to the meeting room.

Senator Buckingham introduced those with her as “Shelby Slawson, our future state representative (Dist. 59); and August Pfluger, our future congressman (Dist. 11).” She thanked everyone for taking the time to be there and said, “It is your heroism and bravery that brought us here.”

The Senator told everyone a little about herself including the fact that she used to be a volunteer firefighter in the town where she grew up.

Ms. Buckingham stated, “there are people who run into the fire, and there are people who run away from the fire.” She described the Lowe’s fire in March as a monumental fire as there was a lot of ammunition on site, and she wanted to recognize the bravery of those fighting in that fire as well as the recent local wildfires, such as the 4K Ranch.

Captain Blossman told me that Senator Buckingham brought our recognition before the Texas Senate. The Senate approved the recognition that our local heroes deserved, and it was presented to them at this meeting.

Due to social distancing, only two firefighters from each of the four fire departments (San Saba, Elm Grove, Richland Springs, and Cherokee) were allowed to be at the presentation. The Senator presented a red folder with a letter from her and a certificate of appreciation in it to the firefighters. She gave the folders for each fire department to their representatives for them to take back to their departments.

Shelby Slawson stated, “no one in this room serves to receive an accolade, you serve because you love your neighbors and your community,” and she added she was, “honored to be in the room with you.”

August Pfluger said of the firefighters, “we are in a room full of people that care about the community,” and stated, “it is an honor to be standing in the room with ya’ll and in your community.” He added it was amazing to see what happened after the fire, how the county and a lot of counties around came together to help out during a really tough time.

The Senator also recognized the combined efforts of the Ministerial Alliance and Hill Country Community Action (HCCA) for their work in keeping San Sabans fed during the interim when San Saba was without their only grocery store. Representatives from the HCCA were there to accept those folders with the letter and certificate, and accepted them on behalf of absent Ministeral Alliance staff.

Our firefighters do a great job and sacrifice a great deal to keep us safe. Next time you see one of them, thank them for their service to our community. In addition, HCCA and the Ministerial Alliance work independently and/or together beautifully to quickly meet our community’s needs. . . no matter the situation, even if the town’s grocery store burned down! Be sure to thank them too!