Ricketts presents flood hero awards in O'Neill

The O'Neill Volunteer Fire Department, its chief and two community members were recognized by Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts last week for service performed during the March 2019 floods.

Ricketts made a stop in Holt County on Friday to present fire chief Terry Miles and members of the fire department with a flood hero proclamation. The award commemorates the department's rescue of a rural resident who was stranded in his home by the flood waters, as well as the volunteers' efforts in helping save the Lynch hospital from flood waters, their help in searching for Kenneth Angel and other flood recovery efforts.

"We are here today to recognize the folks who were so important in responding to that terrible disaster that we had last year," Ricketts said. "It was our volunteer fire departments that were primarily our first responders, our first line of defense against what happened...Thank you to all the members of the O'Neill Fire Department who worked so hard through that terrible storm to be able to keep people safe in our state."

On behalf of the department, Miles accepted a State of Nebraska proclamation, including a special flood hero coin from the governor.

Miles acknowledged state agencies, the rural fire board and City of O'Neill officials for providing the department with "the most up-to-date equipment and training they can afford."

"This is always a team effort, obviously the people here can see the fine equipment that we have." Miles said, before thanking the members of the department. "It was an ugly situation, but we did do our best and we made it work."

In addition to presenting the award to the fire department, Ricketts acknowledged two O'Neill residents who had been nominated by the community.

Scott Poese and Mike Walker from KBRX radio station were awarded admiralships in the Great Navy of Nebraska by the governor, for their service keeping residents informed and collecting donations for flood victims.

"It was just amazing the people (who) came in and wrote a $50 check or the people who came in, that you would never expect, to write a $1,000 check," Poese said. "We live in a great area."

Walker also said it was a team effort.

"Scott (Poese) just went into action and Shirley (Cobb) and a couple other employees at KBRX, we just jumped on with him and we went nonstop...It was a team effort, I am glad to be a part of KBRX."

Ricketts also presented his personal Challenge Coins to Miles, Poese and Walker. The coin is modeled after a military Challenge Coin. Ricketts said there are many stories about the origination of Challenge Coins. He recited one about a World War I pilot who was captured by Germans. The medal he wore around his neck was credited with saving his life after he escaped. The coins are traditionally awarded as morale boosters or to note special achievements.

He said, "What the Challenge Coin is about is saying thank you, you're on our team, we've got your back, you're on our side."

The governor concluded the ceremony saying, "This really is what it's about being a Nebraskan, it's people like this who step up and help their neighbors in times of troubles like we had here."

Ricketts has been recognizing individuals and public safety departments across the state as flood heroes over the last couple months. Among those attending the event in O'Neill were Nebraska Senator Tim Gragert and Holt County elected officials. The governor traveled to Spencer after his stop in O'Neill on Friday afternoon.