NANTICOKE, June 3, 2014 – State Senators John Yudichak (D-Nanticoke) and Lisa Baker (R-Lehman Township) will honor longtime Plymouth Borough firefighter Raymond Glova, Sr. with a plaque on the Luzerne County Community College Walk of Honor as part of Saturday’s Luzerne County Community Safety Day in Nanticoke.
Glova, who passed away unexpectedly in February at the age of 81, served the Elm Hill Fire Company No. 3 for more than 40 years first as a volunteer firefighter and then as a full-time engineer.
“Raymond Glova invested everything he had into serving the people of Plymouth as a volunteer and professional firefighter,” Yudichak said. “Mr. Glova demonstrated a day-in and day-out passion for community safety that went well beyond the normal call of duty and his life aptly reflects the everyday heroes in our community that fill the ranks of our first responder organizations.”
The Walk of Honor was originally established to remember Luzerne County firefighter Michael Scott Carlo who gave his life trying to save others when terrorists attacked the World Trade Centers on September 11, 2001. Since its dedication almost three years ago, the Walk of Honor has grown to honor heroes from all public safety venues, and last year, Yudichak and Baker honored fallen corrections officer Eric Williams with a plaque on the memorial as part of their annual Luzerne County Community Safety Day.
“Community Safety Day is a wonderful way to bring neighbors together to learn about emergency planning and gather life-saving tips they can use to prevent or respond to crisis,” Baker said. “I strongly encourage area families to come out for a day of fun-filled events that honor local first responders and familiarize residents with the important roles these brave men and women play in our communities.”
Luzerne County Community Safety Day is free of charge and will feature local businesses and first responders from around Luzerne County; numerous activities for children that promote health and safety; free bicycle helmets; live music and light refreshments.
Yudichak and Baker also organized a poster contest with school districts throughout Luzerne County to coincide with Community Safety Day. The more than 150 entries from K-6 students were narrowed down to 8 finalists by LCCC art students and faculty. Each attendee at Community Safety Day will get an opportunity to vote for their favorite poster and three winners will each receive five tickets and five food vouchers to an upcoming Scranton Wilkes-Barre Railriders baseball game and also tickets to the Montage Mountain Waterpark or Roba Family Farms in North Abington Township.
Luzerne County Community Safety Day will take place Saturday, June 7 at the Regional Public Safety Training Center at Luzerne County Community College from 10 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The Walk of Honor ceremony honoring Raymond Glova Sr. will take place at 11 a.m. near the College’s Prospect Street entrance.