COLUMN: Four guys, 128 years of service

     This past weekend the Monticello Fire Department held our annual awards banquet and wives’ supper. In addition to length of service awards, the firefighter of the year award and training awards, we also honor retiring members of our department.

     This year we had six guys step down, one was due to moving away and the other was because of his work.

     But four of those guys, Joe Oswald, Mike Wink, Joe Tuetken and Tim Miles, stepped down due to the four of them reaching our mandatory retirement age of 55.

     Having served with those guys myself for the past 25 years, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank all four of them for their years of service. Between the four of them, they have served 128 years, an impressive number.

     Each one of them has served the department in their own personal ways but all four collectively have shown dedication, honor, experience and leadership that all of us current members should strive to achieve.

     I have countless stories of each and every one of them but I would like to share one or two thoughts that for me sums up their service.

     Joe Oswald has served the longest of the four, 35 years. Joe’s sense of humor is second to none. Joe has been a leader on our department for many years and his ability to stay calm under pressure will be what we will miss most on the department.

     Mike Wink served for 33 years. Mike was a fearless leader who liked to act tough but has a heart of gold. Mike would do anything for us as individuals or for the department. Mike’s mechanic abilities and leadership will be missed.

     Joe Tuetken served the department for 32 years. Joe was a true firefighter, always willing to run into a burning building and do the dirty overhaul work. Joe’s a guy that you would feel safe following into a building or having him back you up. Joe’s dedication to the tradition of firefighting will be missed.

     Tim Miles served the department for 28 years. Tim has served the department in multiple ways. He would be the first to put on an air pack and enter a structure or jump in a truck as a driver. Tim’s track record of making well over 95 percent of our calls will be missed.

     All four guys have given countless hours to the Monticello Fire Department training or volunteering their time for many projects. I feel honored to have served along side of all four of them and consider them great friends and true heroes. They will be missed!