Lansford borough’s mayor honored a longtime public servant who continues to serve on the fire police squad.

At Wednesday’s meeting, council read a proclamation on behalf of Mayor James Romankow honoring Michael J. Knies.

“The borough of Lansford, its mayor and council publicly salute the service of Michael Knies in our community at this monthly Lansford Borough Council meeting,” the proclamation read.

Knies, 97, is captain of the American Fire Co. No. 1’s Fire Police squad, and has lived most of his life in the borough.

Knies, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Knies, graduated from St. Ann’s High School in 1939 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-46, working as a firefighter on an aircraft carrier.

Knies returned home working as a blacksmith, first at his father’s shop, and later in the mines. Ultimately, he ended up at Parish Steel in Reading, where he worked 28 years.

Knies first joined American Fire Co. No. 1 in 1971, and has volunteered ever since.

He is also an avid gardener, and the vice president of the No. 9 museum, where he has been active for more than 15 years.

He and his late wife, Julia, shared 64 years of marriage and they have two children, Michael Knies and Betty (Knies) Lesher.

Knies is also set to be honored with the Black Diamond Award from Lansford Alive at the organization’s upcoming Christmas party, at 5 p.m. Dec. 14 at American Legion Post 123.