By Olivia Drake, HVFC Information Officer.
(March 15, 2023)–This month, the brothers of Haddam’s Masonic Lodge Granite No. 119 honored Haddam Volunteer Fire Company Captain and EMT Joshua Meyer with their inaugural “Hometown Hero” award.
Pictured, from left, are Masonic Brothers Jeffrey Ogilvie, Chris Turkington, Gordon Hurlbert, HVFC Captain Joshua Meyer, HVFC Chief Sam Baber; Masonic Brothers Dylan Kessler, Hank Roberts, and Ian Lewis.
The prize was established in 2023 by the Connecticut Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Freemasons to recognize first responders “for their outstanding work in our communities.” The award can be presented to a police officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, doctor, nurse, teacher, or military personnel.
Masonic Brother and former HVFC member Dylan Kessler described Captain Meyer as “someone who has provided exemplary service to the town of Haddam with the fire company and Haddam Volunteer Ambulance Service as well as extensive service with the U.S. Air Force.”
Meyer, who is the son of Firefighter and Fire Police Chief Malcolm Meyer, is of one seven active or veteran military servicemen who are currently members of HVFC. He currently is a Master Sergeant in the Connecticut Air National Guard where he serves as the Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge (NCOIC) of the Emergency Management Flight.
“I’m very honored that the Masonic Lodge No. 119 chose me as their first recipient of the ‘Hometown Hero’ award,” Captain Meyer said. “but don’t think of myself as a hero, I just feel the call to give back to my community by serving however I am able.”
The award was accompanied by monetary donations to HVFC and Captain Meyer from Granite Lodge No. 119 and the Connecticut Grand Lodge.
For more information, visit granitelodge119.org or haddamfire.com.
Photo by Olivia Drake, HVFC
