Submitted photo
Lt. Vernon McKinnon, right, of the Rockingham Fire Department is presented an award Friday night as the American Legion Post 147 Firefighter of the Year by Post Commander Robert Steele, center. With them is Rockingham Fire Chief Harold Isler.
Special to The Pee Dee Post
LEDBETTER — Lt. Vernon McKinnon of the Rockingham Fire Department Friday night received the American Legion Post 147 Firefighter of the Year Award.
The award goes along with his nomination to the North Carolina Department of American Legion statewide award, which was later presented to another firefighter.
McKinnon “is a well-respected, well-liked and well-rounded member of the community as well as the fire department,” said Post Commander Robert L. Steele Sr.
Rockingham Assistant Fire Chief David Mullis said, “McKinnon puts his heart and soul into providing the best protection for the citizens of Rockingham while not asking for any recognition for himself.”
Through years of study and work, McKinnon qualified for his duties as shift commander and is a state-certified emergency response instructor in North Carolina.
As an off-duty substitute teacher at Cordova School for special needs students, McKinnon was commended by Principal Ellen Mabe for his rapport with all ages as well as his teaching abilities with “great initiative with a positive attitude.”
For many years, McKinnon has served on the Richmond County Special Olympics Committee, planning and executing the Olympics. Cathy Hoggard, former coordinator of the local games, called him “unselfish and caring.”
He had a lot of practice while coaching sports for youth at Rockingham Parks and Recreation. Among the youth was his daughter, Breanna, a graduating senior from Richmond Senior High School. He is married to Lynn McKinnon.
Pastor Barbara Covington at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church commended McKinnon for giving “life, breath and depth to the message and vision of the organization.”
“These are just some of the commendations which guided us to select McKinnon as our candidate nominee for the N.C. Department American Legion Award,” Steele said.
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