Valued volunteer firefighter retires

VERMILION — Vermilion officials celebrated the retirement of Doug Bodde, a longtime volunteer city firefighter. During a recent public meeting, officials presented Bodde with his helmet and badge after serving 36 years on the Vermilion Fire Department. Many officials recognized Bodde at the meeting, who was in attendance with his wife, Janet. "We have the greatest respect for our volunteer firefighters who leave their personal lives to serve the residents of Vermilion," Vermilion fire Chief William Brown said. "We also need to recognize the sacrifice of the families of our volunteer firefighters," Brown added. "They learn to accept that, when the tone comes, their spouses will leave birthdays, holidays and countless dinners to make a difference in the lives of total strangers." Vermilion Mayor Jim Forthofer followed up on Brown's comments. "The renowned volunteer spirit of Vermilion is best represented in its volunteer fire department, and it is personified by the likes of firefighter Bodde who has given so much," Forthofer said. "Firefighter Bodde himself recounted a New Year's Eve years ago when he and a fellow firefighter found themselves summoned to a house fire," Forthofer said. "Realizing it was about midnight, Bodde said that he and his fellow firefighter, surrounded by the burning structure, turned and wished each other, 'Happy new year.'"