Latest news with #BlacksburgVolunteerRescueSquad
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Local Army Veteran wins gold in National Veterans Creative Arts Competition
SALEM, Va. (WFXR) – Richard Kiser, a U.S. Army Veteran from Salem and talented guitar player, returned home this week from the National Veterans Creative Arts festival, where he won gold in the inspirational music division for his rendition of The Wayfaring Stranger. This was his second trip to the national festival, which was held in Indianapolis this year, and Kiser called the experience 'life-changing.' He spent the week meeting hundreds of fellow veterans and jamming out with other musicians. 'Everybody left their egos at home,' said Kiser. 'Everybody was there on the same plateau. And everybody was there just to draw from everyone else.' Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad honored as top EMS agency Kiser started teaching himself to play the guitar when he was 13 and began playing with a gospel group at age 18. 'I had an unstable home life and the guitar was my refuge and my best friend,' he said. 'I would find that I would get lost in just trying to learn.' When he joined the United States Army, he took his music with him. 'A lot of times, being homesick and being 12,000 miles away from home, my guitar was my sanctuary,' he said. 'And it was the place where I would sit on my bunk and just kind of lose myself.' After a hunting accident left Kiser suffering from PTSD, music became a healing method. 'I knew about PTSD firsthand,' he said. 'I also knew what great therapy music was, and the guitar was for me.' 'I'm leaving here with my head held high': community celebration held for outgoing VMI superintendent Now, he travels the country, performing alongside his wife to help other people discover the same therapy he found. He also helps fellow Veterans suffering from PTSD and other service-related trauma by offering guitar instruction through a local nonprofit called 'Guitars for Vets.' 'I'm teaching them to play and teaching them the importance of music as an alternative to drugs or alcohol even,' he said. 'That it's still a great and a safe refuge.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad honored as top EMS agency
BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) – The Town of Blacksburg announced its Volunteer Rescue Squad was awarded the prestigious honor of Outstanding Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency by Governor Glenn Youngkin on May 19. During the start of National EMS Week on Monday, Chief David English accepted the award from the governor on behalf of the entire team. John Clair named new chief of Blacksburg Police Department 'The Town offers its congratulations to the Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad for receiving this prestigious award for the second time in eight years, said Deputy Town Manager Steve Ross. 'Being recognized a second time demonstrates the outstanding EMS services the Rescue Squad continues to provide our community. Additionally, we are appreciative of all the individuals who volunteer their time to provide this valuable service.' The Outstanding EMS Agency award recognizes local, regional, state, and national EMS agencies for exceptional professionalism, a strong commitment to community service, and excellence in patient care, demonstrated through innovative training programs, public health initiatives, robust community engagement, and leadership. First black Chief of Police of Blacksburg, William 'Bill' Brown remembered 'I'm truly honored to accept this award on behalf of Blacksburg Rescue,' said David English, Chief of Blacksburg Rescue. 'It is a testimony to the dedication and professionalism of our team. In a time when many volunteer agencies are struggling, it's especially meaningful that our all-volunteer rescue squad can achieve this distinction from among the hundreds of other volunteer, career, and combination departments across Virginia.' With 170 active volunteers, the Rescue Squad is a non-profit that provides prehospital emergency services, training, community events, and other public services to Blacksburg, parts of Montgomery County, and other neighboring communities. Blacksburg PD K9 Unit receives ballistic vest donation 'The Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad is a pillar of the Blacksburg community through public education, safety training, and participation in local events. The award underscores the organization's sustained impact and commitment to excellence in emergency medical services.' For more information about the Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad and its programs, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
