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The Goshen Volunteer Fire Department “A-Team” won the first annual Fire Fighters Challenge tug-of-war at the Rockbridge Breakfast Club’s Celebrate Rockbridge event this past Saturday at Brewbaker Field. The team was presented with the Devin Riley Memorial Fire Fighters Challenge trophy by Congressman Ben Cline and Rockbridge Fire-Rescue Chief Nathan Ramsey. Glen Mon, chairman of the Rockbridge Breakfast Club, served as master of ceremonies for the fire fighters challenge activity.
Taking part in the challenge were fire departments from Goshen, Kerrs Creek, Natural Bridge and Glasgow. The victory had special meaning for the Goshen competitors as the traveling trophy was named in honor of Devin Riley, a member of the Goshen Volunteer Fire Department who had died tragically in an auto accident just prior to his graduation from Rockbridge County High School.
The tug-of-war was the afternoon highlight of the event that included a music concert and moving rendition of the National Anthem by the area band Wonder, a display of fire trucks and vehicles from the participating fire departments, cornhole and Frisbee golf for the children, and over 40 exhibits featuring primarily area organizations from youth groups like the Boy Scouts and 4-H to environmental exhibits about solar panels and glass recycling by Earth Magic in Buena Vista. Among the other exhibitors include area organizations and businesses.
The Celebrate Rockbridge was sponsored by the Rockbridge Breakfast Club with the goal of honoring the fire departments, emergency services, law enforcement and other first responders. Area organizations were invited to take part as exhibitors to talk about their activities and to recruit new members and supporters as well larger area employers seeking new employees.
In addition to Cline, other politicians taking part in the event were Del. Ellen Campbell who represents Rockbridge in the House of Delegates, and Del. Chris Head who is seeking to be the new Senator for the Rockbridge and surrounding area.
About 500 people took part in the late morning and early afternoon activities.
The Rockbridge Breakfast Club is a new 501C3 organization. It is a countywide community action group. Associates of the group work together on community and area projects to improve the county and its communities by engaging local leaders, welcoming new residents, providing education and programs on the U.S. Constitution and the electoral process, supporting and promoting local charities and other community and area projects. The group meets twice a month for a breakfast meeting at the Pink Cadillac Restaurant.
