Flagpole Dedication Ceremony Held for Local Fire Department Supporter

Centre- On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, the members of McCord’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire
Department and other community members gathered alongside local resident and longtime
supporter, Doyle Kerr, and his family, to dedicate the flagpole at McCord’s Fire Department
Station #1 in his honor.

“Mr. Kerr has been a true and unwavering supporter of the department since its inception in
1978,” said Chief Rich Lindsey. During the ceremony, Mr. Kerr recalled the time when his
friends and neighbors were organizing the fire department. While he felt that his schedule as a
concrete mixer was not conducive to serving as a fireman, he vowed to support the
organization through other means. He started by pouring the slab for the first station and
continued through the years with many acts of generosity, such as making or funding numerous
repairs to apparatus, installing an engineered septic system at the current station #1, showing
up for every fundraiser, and just being a steady source of encouragement throughout the years.
During the heartfelt ceremony, Chief Lindsey pointed out that service doesn’t always come with
a siren or a uniform, but sometimes with quiet generosity and a heart always ready to help.
He said, “Rural volunteer fire departments are a special cause. They provide fire, rescue, EMS,
and many other crucial services to their communities for no other reason than the personal
satisfaction that comes from serving and loving their neighbor. With very limited government
funding, it takes a community of faithful supporters giving of their time, talents, and resources
for a volunteer fire department to be successful. For the life of this department, Mr. Kerr has
shown up—not for the recognition, but for the cause.”
In closing, Chief Lindsey stated that every time we raise the flag, we will be reminded of the
values Doyle Kerr represents: community, dedication, and the belief that we are stronger when
we serve together. The flag was then raised in honor of Mr. Doyle Kerr and family, and in the
spirit of all those who make their community stronger by the simple act of caring.