Man honored for lifelong commitment to community

PERKINS TWP. — Because of his bodybuilding background, he's a well-known weightlifter around the local area. But many might not know this about Nate Matthews: He also possesses a strong desire to help community members when they face their greatest challenges in life. For Matthews' half-century-plus run of working for and supporting Perkins fire operations — extinguishing fires, treating those who ail and even rescuing civilians — first responders extended their appreciation by presenting him with a prestigious honor. During Tuesday's public meeting, township trustees and fire Chief Dave Murphy gave Matthews a proclamation, a tribute rarely given out by Perkins' government and only in special cases. In addition to becoming an honorary firefighter for life, his proclamation, with an excerpt to follow, provides insight into why he obtained these accolades: • "Nathaniel 'Nate' Matthews is currently a valued member of the Perkins Township community." • "Nate demonstrated a passion for the fire service and the Perkins Township Fire Department as a young child." • "Nate served as a Perkins Township firefighter for 17 years." • "Nate has continued to demonstrate a commitment to the citizens of Perkins Township." • "Nate has continued to demonstrate a commitment to the Perkins Township Fire Department and its firefighters." • "We, the Perkins Township board of trustees and the Perkins fire chief, on behalf of the citizens of Perkins Township, recognize the continued service of Nate Matthews during emergencies and declare Nate Matthews an honorary firefighter with the Perkins Township Fire Department." A standing-room-only crowd — consisting of Matthews' friends, family members, fellow firefighters and others — showed up at the ceremony at Township Hall. Those in attendance gave Matthews a rounding ovation after hearing the proclamation read out loud. "This just means a lot," said Matthews, a born-and-raised Sandusky resident who still lives in the area. He retired from the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission in 2021 as a maintenance worker. Matthews also received a plaque with a fire helmet. Text on the base, in part, reads: "This confirms that Nate will now and always be considered a part of the Perkins Township family and honorary member of" the Perkins Township Fire Department (shortened to PTFD) on the plaque. "This was a big surprise to me," Matthews said. "I wasn't looking for anything in return. I'm tickled to death." A lifelong commitment to community Collectively, every active Perkins firefighter signed a letter outlining the reasons why Matthews, a 1977 Perkins High School graduate and standout track athlete, is worthy of such a spotlight. Here are some excerpts from the letter: • "At age 10, Nate began to hang around the station on Campbell Street any chance he could get." • "Eventually, a junior fire department was formed. From the years of 1975 to 1977, Nate served as the Perkins Township junior fire chief. The junior fire department would help the members of the Perkins Township Fire Department in such tasks as rolling hoses after hose testing, everyday work and maintenance to the stations and vehicles and also any fundraisers." • "When Nate turned 18 in 1977, he joined the Perkins Township Fire Department as a part-time firefighter and served until 1994." • "Since leaving in 1994, if there has been a fire or major incident in Perkins or Sandusky, you can almost guarantee that Nate will be there. Countless times, no matter what time of day it is or what the weather is like, Nate will show up on scene to help fire personnel in any way he can. Whether it's pulling a hose line, refilling (breathing apparatus) bottles or hooking up to a hydrant, you can depend on the fact Nate will be there to help with a huge smile on his face the whole time." The letter underscores how this recognition "is long overdue" and how Matthews "deserves it for being a positive force in the fire service and the community."