Over 200 local first responders, students and community members took the time to celebrate public service and safety workers.
The Lamar Institute of Technology Foundation hosted a program called “Salute to a True American Hero” Thursday night at the Beaumont Civic Center.
Held annually around September 11th, the Foundation has been hosting this event since 2001, but it has not been held for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program began with a color presentation by Beaumont Fire and Rescue under the direction of Deputy Chief Christian Boderon, accompanied by U.S. Coast Guard bagpipe player Brian Shajari.
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A single flower was displayed on the stage in memory of the war dead. Guests were treated to meals catered by Cajun Ventures and Hard Her Bean.
The evening’s presentations began with a speech from Sid Valentine, the new president of Lamar Institute of Technology, who began his tenure last month.
“For the students behind me, I always had fun. “I was asking,” I said. “My chosen profession may be in danger, but how does it feel to know that I’m going to save someone’s life today?” he said. And I loved seeing those faces, I said, ‘You leave your family and run over and go help my family or go help someone else’s family. It’s a huge burden, and don’t think anyone in this room, or anyone in this community, has lost it.”
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Valentine talked about cutting LIT tuition by almost 50%. This, combined with funding for the annual event, will allow students to “take more classes and graduate faster.”
He said he would be a “well-trained future first responder” in the community.
In the event’s 21-year history, Valentine said more than $847,000 was raised and more than 150 students received scholarships.
Before the scholarship was awarded, Beaumont Police Chief Jimmy Singletary remembered the late Beaumont Police Chief Sheena Yarbrough-Powell, who died in a head-on collision in August 2020.
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“Sheena was a police officer and more,” Singletary said. “Sheena’s family and her husband Tyler’s (Powell) family are models of how you should behave and how you should endure such a terrible tragedy. I love those families. The Beaumont Police Department loves those families.”
Singletary said he was amazed at the strength the Yarbrough and Powell families have shown over the past two years, adding that they have been part of the Beaumont Police Department for the rest of their lives and a family of first responders. .
The two families were awarded the CA “Pete” Shelton Award, named after the longtime Beaumont Fire Chief.
Vidor Police Chief and Lamar Institute of Technology Foundation board member Rod Carroll said he plans to establish a scholarship in Yarbrough-Powell’s name next year to help cadets advance to the police academy.
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Yarbrough Powell’s husband Tyler won the award.
“I didn’t know you were coming here,” he said. “(Waving to the Yarbrough and Powell families) They are all a little bit more scared of the light than I am, but they are there. They are also very grateful to LIT. Sheena, the funny thing is, one of the things she loved and believed in was going to school debt-free.”
Yarbrough-Powell attended Lamar University on a full-ride scholarship, according to Powell. She graduated in 2018.
In turn, the Lamar Institute Foundation recognized the Sabine Neches Chiefs Association, which began as a small group of local firefighters and industry leaders before the 1947 Texas City industrial accident.
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At the first meeting of the association, there were only 4 fire departments and 5 local industries. Currently, about 120 member organizations, including emergency response agencies, fire, police, industry, emergency management, public works, emergency medical services, hospitals, schools, businesses, volunteer groups, counties, etc., are the oldest organized organizations in the country. It constitutes a mutual aid organization.
Since 2001, the Chiefs Association has used the proceeds of its annual golf tournament to fund scholarships for LIT students within public service and safety programs. The organization has donated over $120,000 to her.
A challenge coin was presented to representatives of the Sabine-Neches Chiefs Association.
Patrick Murphy, the Port Arthur Fire Department’s longest-serving battalion commander, was also honored Thursday night. He will have been in service for 50 years this year.
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“I want to thank my biggest support group. It’s my family,” Murphy said. “The second is the fire department.”
The Lamar Institute of Technology Foundation has awarded 27 scholarships and seven students received their certificates at Thursday’s event.
Accredited students came from a variety of public service areas, including emergency management and homeland security, criminal justice, emergency medical services, fire protection technology, and police academy.
The evening’s keynote speaker was Joe Penland Sr., a local businessman and president of the 100 Club of Southeast Texas.
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“When you turn 72, there’s something to remember. We all have one day in our lives, maybe a few days, a special day to remember, or a tragic day, but if you remember , it will never get out of my head,” Penland said. “Something like 9/11…that’s what first responders are all about, and it brought a lot of attention to first responders who previously had to call over and over again. “
Penland said that after a national tragedy like 9/11, people seem to be aware of the first responders who are by their side every day.
“You don’t realize they’re there,” he said. , Christmas, it doesn’t matter – every day. They’re there. They don’t say anything. They’re happy to take the job and serve each other.
Penland said it’s important to recognize first responders and their services, not just on 9/11, but every day.
The program concluded with a rendition of “God Bless America” by Bryan Barron, an instructor at Lamar Institute of Technology, an alliance of health and sciences.
olivia.malick@hearst.com
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