Shoemaker-Haydt American Legion Post 314, Lehighton, celebrated the Legion's 95th birthday by honoring a Police Officer of the Year and a Firefighter of the Year.

The Legion also recognized a local attorney and a news reporter for their meritorious service.The event also included presenting awards and cash prizes to several fourth-grade youngsters who wrote outstanding essays about their interpretation of the Pledge of Allegiance.Presented plaques inscribed with "In recognition of his outstanding service and commitment to our community" were Mahoning Township Police Officer Jeffrey Frace and Mahoning Township Volunteer Firefighter Rickey Frey.Frace recently responded to a fire and convinced an elderly woman to leave her home, but she ran back inside and he had to rescue her from the house.Frace also was one of the first responders to arrive when a propane tank exploded in Franklin Township at the Pazzazz Boarding Kennel. He assisted firefighters with rescuing dogs from the kennel.In 2009, Frace was also recognized for his handling of an incident on Country Club Road in which a subject armed with an assault rifle and several other weapons was barricaded in his home with other weapons for several hours.Frey is a lieutenant with the Mahoning Valley Volunteer Fire Company, where he has been an active member for 38 years. He was described as a very hard worker by Chief Mark Ebbert.Honored for meritorious service was attorney William Schwab and TIMES NEWS staff writer Gail Maholick.Honored for their winning essays were Madalynne Cerami, daughter of Jillian and Dominic Cerami, and a student at Shull David Elementary School; Morgan Eidem, daughter of Linda Heil and Eric Eidem, and a student at Mahoning Elementary School; Madison Brown, daughter of Floyd and Keri Brown, and a student at Franklin Elementary School; Erin Homm, daughter of Jason and Suzanne Homm, and a student at East Penn Elementary School; and Cecilia Sarnowski, daughter of Reyna Sarnowski and Robert Sarnowski, and a student at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic School.Making the presentations were Harry Wynn III, finance officer; Floyd C. Brown, commander; and Richard J. Fink, adjutant.Wynn also served as master of ceremony.Wynn said that the Legion has begun planning the 100th anniversary celebration.