To the editor:

This thank-you goes out to any I may have missed speaking to individually at my recent retirement party at the Dowagiac Fire Station.

I would like to thank all of my friends and family who came out to help me celebrate.

A special thank-you goes out to John Eby for his dedicated coverage of the Fire Department for all of these many years.

A thanks to the area department chiefs and firefighters who stopped by and especially for Oshtemo Fire Chief Mark Barnes, his wife Maria and family for taking time out of their busy day to congratulate me.

I would like to thank all of the Dowagiac Fire Department guys for my hammock. I’ll be putting it to good use.

Thanks to Lt. Robert Smith and Honorary Firefighter Jay Elliott for the presentation and to Firefighter Martin Buckland for his craftsmanship on my retirement nozzle display.

Also, a special thank-you for the anonymous donation of the hog and to Shawn Sirk for preparing it. Many thanks to all who donated and helped serve the delicious meal.

Thank you to Melissa Grinnewald for the beautifully decorated cake.

A special thanks to Councilman Jim Dodd for stepping in for the Mayor to present my City Proclamation and to City Manager Kevin Anderson for presenting the State Retirement Tribute signed by Gov. Snyder, Rep. Tyler, Sen. Proos and Congressman Upton.

Thank you to Public Safety Director Tom Atkinson for his introduction and presentation and to Capt. Guy Evans for the presentation of my brass in the shadow box.

I must also make mention of Patty Klug for all of her work on this party. She is the glue that holds the Public Safety Department together.

Again, for any I may have missed thanking, your heartfelt congratulations will last with me well into my retirement years.

Dale R. Hutchings

Dowagiac Deputy Fire Chief, RETIRED

and wife, Pam