News, PICTURE FLIPPER, RSS Facebook, RSS General, RSS Twitter
 By  Jonathan Willis Published 
3:30 pm Wednesday, November 16, 2011

VFW honors first responders

The April 27 tornado that ripped across much of the south, including Franklin County, left indelible marks on many communities in the region.

People’s homes and families were changed forever.

But, if any positives could be taken from it, it did provide a glimpse of hope that people are still willing to step in and help in any way they can.

That’s something that has often been seen through acts of generosity and selflessness in the months since.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5184 recognized a couple of those who worked so hard in the storm’s aftermath during a ceremony Sunday.

The VFW Post named Russellville Fire Capt. Randy Seal as firefighter of the year and Phil Campbell Police Chief Merrell Potter as police officer of the year during the group’s annual Veterans Day celebration.

“All of our firefighters and police officers are heroes and give of themselves on a daily basis,” VFW Commander Bill Jackson said.

“But, these two men both gave a little extra.”

Potter’s quick decisions and leadership in the storm’s immediate aftermath and the weeks that followed gave residents a sense of peace and calm in a difficult time, Jackson said.

“In a time of crisis, people look for leadership and that’s what he demonstrated.”

Seal was also one of the first to respond after the storm and spent countless hours working in Phil Campbell and back at the Russellville station.

“It would be hard to find someone recommended more by their peers,” Jackson said.

Both men were presented with plaques and engraved knives during the ceremony.

“It’s really humbling,” Potter said.

“This is definitely not why you go into this career, but it is very nice knowing that people appreciate you and to receive this from the veterans – the ones that are the real heroes – that makes it even more special.”

Seal agreed.

“It’s an honor for a group of veterans and your peers to recognize you and I am humbled that they would do this.”

 

Also on Franklin County Times
Ex-day care owner faces 27-count indictment
Main, News, Russellville
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
October 15, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — The former owner of a Red Bay day care center where a 4-month-old died in March 2022 is now facing a manslaughter charge after a Frankl...
AI policies stress proper use over prohibition
Main, News
Alyssa Sutherland For the FCT 
October 15, 2025
Sheffield City Schools’ policy regarding student use of artificial intelligence (AI) at the start of the 2025-26 school year limited the use of the so...
Faith, family and resilience are keys to cancer survival
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
October 15, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Ten years ago, Melissa Stancil faced a diagnosis that changed her life. Today, she’s not only a survivor of Stage 3 breast cancer but ...
Gilmer fulfills dream competing on ‘Jeopardy!’
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
October 15, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — Russellville native Slade Gilmer fulfilled a lifelong dream when he competed on “Jeopardy!” in an episode that aired Oct. 7. Gilmer liv...
Police among state’s first certified departments
News, Russellville, Z - News Main
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
October 15, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — The city’s Police Department is one of the first 12 departments to earn professional accreditation through the Alabama Association of C...
We must break China’s grip on defense supply chains
Columnists, Opinion
October 15, 2025
China’s Xi Jinping appeared supremely confident at a recent military parade in Beijing with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. Xi’...
DKG international president visits Russellville
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
October 15, 2025
When educators gather, there’s always something to learn, and this month our local Delta Kappa Gamma chapter, Alpha Upsilon, heard directly from the t...
More than laughs: Improvising for life’s situations
News
Chelsea Retherford For the FCT 
October 15, 2025
When most people hear the word “improv,” they might think of the quickwitted antics of “Whose Line is it Anyway?” But David Grissom, a veteran comedy ...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *