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The Plano Chapter of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution held its regular meeting and honored four members of the Plano community service members.
The awards were given to members of the Plano Police and Fire departments for their outstanding service to the community over the past year. Honorees will be awarded the Law Enforcement Commendation Medal with certificate, the Fire Safety Commendation Medal with certificate, the Emergency Medical Services Commendation Medal with certificate and the Bronze Good Citizenship Medal with certificate.
This year’s honorees are Andrae Smith, Plano PD; Sonny Weed, Plano FD; Kevin Haines, Plano FD; and Di-Ann Williams, Plano 911/Telecommunications.
“It is an absolute honor to receive this distinction from the Sons of the American Revolution,” said Andrae Smith, a 13-year veteran of the Plano Police Department. Smith has been honored with numerous distinctions and awards, including Rookie of the Year in 1997.
“Andrae is an exemplary officer and the Plano Police Department is proud to have him on the force,” said Police Chief Gregory Rushin. “He should be proud to have received the top honor of the department.”
Rushin described the selection process for Smith to have been named the 2008 Officer of the Year. The department chooses an awards committee that represents the entire police force. The committee solicits nominations for the award and will meet regularly to select the officer with the best representation of the award.
“I have heard about the Sons and their civic commitment to the community,” Smith said. “Their commitment to the community is also one of the mottos that I strive to work by. As a role model for rookie officers, I want to instill it into them also.”
Fire Chief Esparza described Sonny Weed as one of the best firefighters the Plano Fire Department has ever seen.
“It’s such a great honor to recognize officers of public safety for their service to the community,” said Weed, a Fire Rescue Specialist (FRS) and paramedic who has been serving Plano for 17 years.
“No matter what the assignment, Sonny is the kind of firefighter than everyone wants to work with,” Esparza read from Weed’s nomination form. “He is an exceptional leader at the station and is a mentor for the rookies, always setting the right tone for the new guys. He is one of those rare employees that has experience, training, mechanical ability, leadership and great work ethic.”
Kevin Haines, EMS Service Officer of the Year and Di-Ann Williams, Telecommunications Officer of the Year were not present during the awards ceremony. Chief Esparza and Ronald Timmons were on hand to accept the certificates on their behalf.
The Sons of the American Revolution is a historical, educational and patriotic non-profit corporation that seeks to maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom, an appreciation for true patriotism, a respect for our national symbols, the value of American citizenship and the unifying force of e pluribus unum that has created one nation and one people.
The Sons of the American Revolution accomplish their goals by perpetuating the stories of patriotism, courage, sacrifice, tragedy and triumph of the men who achieved the independence of the American people in the belief that these stories are universal ones of man’s eternal struggle against tyranny, relevant to all time, and will inspire and strengthen each succeeding generation.
Incorporated on Jan. 17, 1890, in Connecticut, the Sons of the American Revolution was chartered by the United States Congress on June 9, 1906. Prior to this date, a number of state societies were formed in the 1880s. These were led by the Sons of Revolutionary Sires, organized July 4, 1876, in San Francisco. The first Congress of the National Society was held in Louisville on April 30, 1890, which was the 101st anniversary of George Washington's taking the oath of office for President of the United States.
The national headquarters is located in Louisville. There are 50 state societies including the District of Columbia. There are also societies in France, Canada, Germany Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Currently, there are approximately 26,000 active members worldwide.
The membership of the Plano Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution is comprised of men from Garland, Plano, Richardson, Sachse and Wylie.
More information on the Plano Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution can be found online at www.planosar.org.
Contact Kim Nguyen at knguyen@acnpapers.com
