Congratulatory Comments for Indian River VFC’s High School Seniors

The Board of Directors, Officers, and Members of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company would like to offer these comments in order to recognize our graduating students celebrating a high school graduation in 2020 that have pursued their civic duty affiliations within the volunteer fire service. 

These congratulatory comments come at a time when traditionally we have been celebrating these significant milestones at various high school commencement services in auditoriums, stadiums, or gymnasiums; however, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered that graduation experience this calendar year to something much different. 

This pandemic has attempted to reform our best alternative to life as we have known it and for coping with this crisis via virtual education processes, zoom conferences and meetings, social distancing, and quarantine practices that have altered our status quo.

The volunteers in the fire services, include many age groups, and have transitioned into systematic personalities that offers insight forged into standard operating guidelines that include simple acts of showing up at every emergency incident and doing what is needed in order that the task(s) is completed with implementation of social distancing, additional personal protective gear and terminology known as utilizing universal precautions.

It has been said that these systematic personalities include some of the basic thematic cornerstones that will teach our graduates to prosper and excel in future endeavors.  The cornerstones are:  duty, commitment, compassionate and honor.

It is certain and extremely clear that as volunteers we are instilled with a sense of duty and commitment; however, we must remain compassionate in order to address our chosen civic objectives because everyone that we encounter are scared during these times of uncertainty, scared because of the unfortunate circumstances that they are encountering during this emergency situation, in some cases alone, and without interpersonal interaction with loved ones, family, and/or friends.  Therefore, we tend to be their only interaction with someone outside of their respective residential location.  So simple acts of kindness, consideration for the elderly, can offer comfort to someone during their time of need.

As a volunteer emergency first responder, we must remain committed, focused and strong in order to accomplish the designated objective of the mission or assignment while keeping your community safe and remembering the aforementioned thematic cornerstones. 

This pandemic has caused everyone to adjust and as a graduating senior, you had to adjust with early termination of classes, no senior prom or graduation ceremonies; however, you have persevered and may still had many joyous and memorable opportunities.  There is no doubt that you will be resilient by being able to adapt to reality and remaining positive as well as committed.

Therefore, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company acknowledges and congratulates all graduating seniors in the Class of 2020!  Thank you for your volunteerism because it has taught you to be adaptable -- to exercise compassion, patience and quick thinking under pressure – be committed, be resilient, and most of all have goals and dreams because you can make a difference!

The Class of 2020 Graduating Seniors from the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company include: 

1. Jacob Klingler – Sussex Central High School - http://irvfc.com/profile.cfm?id=486; and

2. Morgan King – Cape Henlopen High School - http://irvfc.com/profile.cfm?id=519.

Congratulations and best wishes, thank you for your volunteerism and community service within the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company.