Billy Caldwell
2022 First Responder of the Year
Riner Volunteer Fire Department
Club president Phil Araman presents the award to Billy Caldwell.
Chief Anthony Wilson
2021 First Responder of the Year
Blacksburg Police Department
Tommy Loflin, Chair of the Vocational Committee, and club president Ken D’Amato present the award to Chief Wilson. Also pictured is Marc Verniel, Blacksburg Town Manager.
Capt. Kelly B. Walters
2020 First Responder of the Year
Christiansburg Rescue Squad
Capt. Walters passed away in December 2020.
Tommy Loflin, Chair of the Vocational Committee presents the award to Capt. Walters’ daughter, Nancy.
Neal Turner
2019 First Responder of the Year
Montgomery County Emergency Services Coordinator
Presenting the award to Mr. Turner, is Tommy Loflin, Chair of the Vocational Committee.
Wendell Flinchum
2018 First Responder of the Year
Virginia Tech Police Chief (retired)
Presenting his award is Club President Mark Woolwine and Commonwealth Attorney, Mary Pettit, who nominated Chief Flinchum.
Dear Montgomery County Resident,
The Rotary Club of Blacksburg is seeking nominations for our 2022 First Responder of the Year Award. We request your assistance in identifying worthy candidates and hope that you will consider submitting a nomination.
First Responder of the Year nominees must be:
- A Montgomery County resident.
- Someone who is not a Rotarian.
- A member of a Montgomery County fire department, law enforcement department or rescue squad (may be a paid member or a volunteer).
- An individual (rather than an organization or multiple folks).
You may nominate a first responder by completing and returning the brief nomination form that is included with this cover letter. This form also can be found on our website (https://www.blacksburgrotary.org/ ).
Selection for the award will be based equally on the nominee’s ethical behavior and service to the community.
If you know of someone who would be a good candidate, don’t let the nomination be an obstacle. Our form is short and straightforward. Complete as much, or as little, as you wish and we will contact you to finalize the nomination.
Please submit nominations by January 31, 2023. Nominations are to be sent to Rotary Club of Blacksburg (Attn. T Loflin), PO Box 264, Blacksburg, VA 24063, or to 1016frank@gmail.com. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments.
Very respectfully,
Tommy Loflin
Vocational Service Committee
540-392-9908 ( c )
October 28, 2021
Dear Montgomery County Resident,
The Rotary Club of Blacksburg is seeking nominations for our 2021 First Responder of the Year Award. We request your assistance in identifying worthy candidates and hope that you will consider submitting a nomination.
First Responder of the Year nominees must be:
- A Montgomery County resident.
- Someone who is not a Rotarian.
- A member of a Montgomery County fire department, law enforcement department or rescue squad (may be a paid member or a volunteer).
- An individual (rather than an organization or multiple folks).
You may nominate a first responder by completing and returning the brief nomination form that is included with this cover letter. This form also can be found on our website (https://www.blacksburgrotary.org/ ).
Selection for the award will be based equally on the nominee’s ethical behavior and service to the community. If you know of someone who would be a good candidate, don’t let the nomination be an obstacle. Our form is short and straightforward. Complete as much, or as little, as you wish and we will contact you to finalize the nomination.
Please note that the nomination deadline is December 18th . Nominations are to be submitted to Rotary Club of Blacksburg (Attn. T Loflin), P O Box 264, Blacksburg, VA 24063, or to loflint@amnb.com. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments.
Very respectfully,
Tommy Loflin
Vocational Service Committee
391-4044 ( o ); 392-9908 ( c );
loflint@amnb.com
Former First Responders of the Year recipients:
2017- Danny R. Yopp, Christiansburg Volunteer Fire Dept.
2018 - Wendell R. Flinchum, Virginia Tech Police Dept.
2019 - Neal Turner, Montgomery County Emergency Services Coordinator
Michael T Linkous, Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Dept.
2020 - Kelly B. Walters, Christiansburg Rescue SquadFormer First Responders of the Year:
2017: Danny Yopp, Christiansburg Fire Department
2018: Chief Wendell Flinchum, Virginia Tech Police
2019: Neal Turner, Montgomery County Emergency Services
2020: Chief Kelly B. Walters, Christiansburg Fire Department
2021: Chief Anthony Wilson, Blacksburg Police