Latest news with #ProudtoServe
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Retired veteran, retired truck driver and current bus driver for Pattonville School District receives $500 for years of service
ST. LOUIS – Each month on FOX 2, we salute local first responders, military, or veterans with our Proud to Serve award. This month, we shine the spotlight on Mark Johnston who now serves his community of St. Charles, MO as a bus driver bringing joy to all the kids on his route in the Pattonville School District. Mark is an honorably discharged veteran who loves to bring joy and laughter to the kids on his bus route everyday. Mark was nominated by his daughter who tells us Mark is not only a veteran, he's my dad. When he was in the military as a radar operator and truck driver – every one of his soldiers were as much a part of our family as my brother, mom, and myself. Dad did everything he could to make sure his soldiers knew he was more than their Platoon Sgt. and they weren't all alone in a strange state/city or country (Germany) for holidays, televised sporting events, or even just weekend cookouts. When we came back to the states and dad was honorably discharged, he worked two or three jobs at times, barely getting any sleep, and doing whatever it took to make sure his family had a permanent home and food on the table. My dad continued working long strenuous hours every week with a couple different trucking companies and even owning his own truck. He finally ended up at a place he KNEW he could retire from while providing for his family. He worked 60+ hours every week – all the way up until USF Holland shut its doors on all their employees last summer. In 18 years he only ever used his PTO for sickness or health emergencies with maybe a handful of days used to just rest or go to a family reunion with us out of state. When Holland closed, my dads world was flipped upside down, and his final two year plan to retirement was thrown out the window. Though stressful, it's also been a blessing to spend more time with his these last 8 months and have my daughter become much closer to him (even if they pick on one another and she denies that he's one of her besties through a smirk). Now, after trying to spend time relaxing, getting some health issues resolved, a pacemaker put in, and a few days/nights spent driving a snow plow – dad is about to start working as a bus driver in Kirkwood and those kids truly have no idea what a blessing it will be – and I'm sure a riot for kids and parents because Baw Baw Mark is hilarious.I think my dad deserves this award because he truly has ALWAYS put his family and everyone else above his own needs and sometimes his own health. As much as I know an extra $500 will bless him – he will probably find a way to spend it on his grandkids and rest of the family. Mark Johnston receives $500 from Brown & Brown Law Firm and FOX 2's Proud to Serve Award. If you would like to nominate a 1st responder, military or veteran, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Proud to Serve: Berkeley Firefighter and Paramedic receives $500 for years of service
ST. LOUIS – Each month on FOX 2, we proudly salute local first responders, military personnel, and veterans who go above and beyond in service to their communities. This month, we shine the spotlight on Nick Meisenheimer, a dedicated firefighter and paramedic with the Berkeley Fire Department in Berkeley, Missouri. Nick's commitment to his community extends far beyond emergency response. As a member of the Community Outreach Board, he works tirelessly to connect with residents and ensure they feel supported and informed. Whether he's responding to calls or engaging with neighbors through outreach initiatives, Nick exemplifies what it means to serve with heart and purpose. Thank you, Nick, for your bravery, compassion, and unwavering dedication. We're proud to recognize you as this month's Proud to Serve honoree. Nick was nominated by his wife who tells us Nick is so selfless. He is on the community outreach board at the Berkeley fire department, and helped organize a coat drive for the students in the Berkeley community who may otherwise not have a warm coat. He spent countless hours shopping around the area for coats, and coordinated the organization and delivery. On top of that, during the holiday season he worked with local organizations or their local offices like Amazon, Clayco, SSM, Boys to Mentors, and more to coordinate a Christmas with toys and clothes for three individual families who lost their homes in the city of Berkeley in December before Christmas. He continues to focus on providing the citizens of Berkeley with help, and most recently has been working to help find reliable housing for a family with a disabled child after they lost their home in a fire. Day in and day out, he gets up and serves his community willingly. Nick Meisenheimer receives $500 from Brown & Brown Law Firm and FOX 2's Proud to Serve Award. If you would like to nominate a 1st responder, military or veteran, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
Proud to Serve: SIUE sergeant receives $500 for years of service
ST. LOUIS – Each month on FOX 2, we salute local first responders, military, or veterans with our Proud to Serve award. This month, we shine the spotlight on Kasey Hoyd, who serves his community of East St. Louis at SIUE as a police Sergeant and as an SRO at the East St. Louis Charter High School. Kasey is not only a Sergeant and SRO, but he also volunteers for the Tyler Timmins Foundation in honor of his friend and brother in blue who lost his life in the line of service in 2021. Kasey was nominated by his girlfriend who tells us Sergeant Kasey Hoyd has been with SIUE for about 8 years now. He's a very well decorated officer who has worked as a police officer, investigator, and now he serves as the 1st black sergeant on SIUE's campus at the age of 32. Sergeant Hoyd is in many organizations that focus on keeping our community safe. Such as the homicide task force and making sure child predators get the consequences that they deserve. Kasey now serves as an SRO for East St Louis Charter High School, an affiliate of SIUE, and he's already made a big difference there by being a positive influence and giving the children a new light to view law enforcement officials in. In his spare time, he volunteers with the Tyler Timmins Foundation, in honor of his friend and brother in blue who lost his life in the line of service in 2021. Kasey Hoyd receives $500 from Brown & Brown Law Firm and FOX 2's Proud to Serve Award. If you would like to nominate a 1st responder, military or veteran, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Proud to Serve: Marine veteran and First Responder receives $500 for years of service
ST. LOUIS – Each month on FOX 2, we salute local first responders, military, or veterans with our Proud to Serve award. This month, we shine the spotlight on Michael Wagner who serves his community of Chesterfield, MO as a first responder at the Monarch Fire Department. Michael is a retired Marine veteran who is not only a paramedic & firefighter, but he also trains the Chesterfield police department in hemorrhage control and active shooter protocols. Michael was nominated by his sister who tells us After graduating from high school Michael joined the Marines, was deployed many times over his career and proudly served as a combat engineer before he retired as a MSgt. After his distinguished 27-year Marine Corps career he put himself through college, the Fire Academy and the Paramedic's Academy. In 2017 he started as a first responder for Monarch Fire Department. Following a near-fatal 30-foot fall in 2020, Michael's recovery was fueled by his daughter and professional passions, revealing a larger life purpose. His expertise and perspective are invaluable, having trained the Chesterfield Police Department in hemorrhage control, assisted in training defensive tactics for first responders, and active shooter/intruder protocols for schools. Michael loves giving back, partnering with Wings of Hope to honor Folds of Honor and coordinating annual Toys for Tots programs. He actively engages in community events and fire safety initiatives such as the City of Chesterfield's Senior Sampler, Back to School events, Backstoppalooza, Chesterfield Parks and Recreation Camps, and Heat up St Louis. Michael embodies the spirit of the Proud to Serve award because he is just an average man with dreams to make the world a better place, and is proof that you can do anything when you put your mind and heart to it! His extraordinary journey showcases the potential for growth, perseverance, and transformative community impact. Michael Wagner receives $500 from Brown & Brown Law Firm and FOX 2's Proud to Serve Award. If you would like to nominate a 1st responder, military or veteran, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
