The championship trophies of the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. served as the backdrop as South Iredell Volunteer Fire Department honored its own champions recently.
The fire department held its annual Christmas dinner at Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI), which is in South Iredell's district.
Chief Howard Overcash said choosing five people to be honored was a difficult task — so difficult in fact, one person was recognized with two awards.
James (Jimmy) Benfield was honored as Most Active and Medical Responder of the Year.
Overcash said Benfield just beat out several other members in the medical responder category, but in Most Active, he was an easier choice.
"He's run the most calls," Overcash said. He cited Benfield's numbers — 29 medical calls and more than 50 fire calls. "And he's going to school at night," he said.
Benfield, accepting his second award of the night, was surprised, and expressed his appreciation with a simple statement. "Thank ya'll," he said.
Overcash also recognized Jordan Casarella as the Firefighter of the Year. Like Benfield, Overcash said, Casarella is always there. He said Casarella answered 63 fire calls in 2009.
For the first time, the fire department decided to recognize its younger members, as well. A Junior Firefighter of the Year was selected, and the honor went to Robert King.
Overcash saved the Officer of the Year award for last. He said choosing one officer for recognition was not easy.
"I have a pretty good staff as far as the officers are concerned," he said. "They're all important to me."
But, he said, one officer stood above the rest.
"He's went above and beyond what he should be doing, and this is well-deserved," he said as he presented the award to Brian Weatherman.
Overcash also expressed his appreciation to all of the members at South Iredell.
"Thank you all for participating," he said.
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