Tradition continues into its ninth year.
A great big fire engine will be parked in front of the Masonic Lodge on Saturday, but there’s no cause to worry. They’re just there for the barbecue.
For the ninth year in a row, the Old West Masonic Lodge in Friendly Valley will honoring a representative from the CHP, the sheriff’s department and the fire department with an afternoon barbecue and celebration. This year’s party starts at 4 p.m. at the Lodge and the public is invited to stop by and honor our community’s first responders over a hot dog and soda.
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This year’s honorees include California Highway Patrol Officer Chris Cabral, L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputy Adam Dorman and L.A. County Firefighter Jeff Correll.
According to event coordinator Jerry Chandler, they’re not looking for the person who goes “above and beyond” to get the kudos.
“We don’t want the poster boy, we want the guy who comes to work and can be depended upon, but hardly ever gets recognized,” he said.
The program, which is unique to their lodge, has turned into a celebration that Masons, honorees and residents of the gated community enjoy and look forward to.
“They always get excited when they see a hook and ladder truck in front of the Masonic Lodge,” Chandler said. “We encourage the guys to come by and even invite the ones off-duty to come over for the barbecue, bring their kids and grandkids.”
Chandler said that Lodge members are approached throughout the year by former honorees, thanking them for what they did.
“One deputy I ran into thanked me for helping him get a promotion,” he recalled. “He said he was interviewing for the crime lab and the interviewer asked what the Deputy of the Year letter was. He said it put him over the top and he got the job.
“It’s the little things that make you feel good,” he continued. “Not only did we recognize him, but it helped them accomplish something in their career.”