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BUCKHANNON – The City of Buckhannon recognized two long-time firefighters during their annual Friendly Way Day ceremony last week.
The community gathered to add two more names to the Buckhannon Fire Department’s Fire Wall on Friday, May 15. Buckhannon Fire Chief JB Kimble said Tom Anderson and Rick Kitzmiller were mentors and pillars of the fire department for decades.
“We’re here at the Strawberry Festival, and every Friday we have Friendly Way Day, where special members of the fire department get nominated and are presented on our Fire Wall here on Friendly Way,” Kimble said. “Today, it’s Rick Kitzmiller and Tom Anderson. We’re here to talk about both of them. They had over 30-year careers with the Buckhannon Fire Department, and I just want you to think about those 60 years of service right here to our community.”
Kimble said each man had his own way of teaching and mentoring, but they were both effective.
“These guys lost a lot of sleep, lost a lot of their mind, lost a lot of their body, protecting our public, and that’s why they’re here today,” Kimble said. “I learned a lot from both of them. We were talking about their differences as I went through the fire department as a young pup with Rick and Tom. Tom let you know by voice when you were in trouble; Rick had the stare. Two different people, two different types of leadership, but we all learned from them.”
Kimble said only he and one other firefighter remain from the days when the two men were active members of the department.
“That’s the difference in the age brackets nowadays, but it was a great time. Back then, it was a simpler time — life was simpler,” Kimble said. “It was a very big family atmosphere at the Buckhannon Fire Department. We all talked about that this morning. They’re also part of our morning circle of wisdom we have here every morning. We’ve had a lot of people join that in the last couple of years, and the wisdom just keeps getting more and more.”
The proclamation:
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Buckhannon resolved in 2007 to honor the memory of longtime Fire Chief, Carl R. “Bud,” “Ole Friendly” Bennett, by naming and dedicating the street in front of the truck bay of our City of Buckhannon Fire Department now known as “Friendly Way,” and,
WHEREAS, Council further resolved to honor members of our Fire Department family who have contributed to the high quality of life enjoyed by our residents, while embodying the essence of our “friendly way” as part of their public service to our community during a celebration as part of our annual West Virginia Strawberry Festival to be known as “Friendly Way Day,” and,
WHEREAS, our past honorees have been as follows: Bud Bennett in 2007, Harley Brown in 2008, Buddy Ray Zickefoose in 2009, Paul Mackey in 2010, Jack Ford in 2011, Larry Mackey in 2012, Jerry Wilfong in 2013, Wyatt Long in 2014, Dave Long in 2015, Kevin Goodwin in 2016, Charlie Shaffer in 2017, Paul Morrison in 2018, Joe Bennett in 2019, Steve Thacker in 2021, Steve Long in 2022, Vaden Queen in 2023, Joey Slaughter in 2024 and Jim Gregory & Brian Hollen in 2025; and,
WHEREAS, we are privileged to honor & celebrate the life & many contributions of “Tom Anderson & Rick Kitzmiller.” With careers spanning over 30 years, they have served our City of Buckhannon Fire Department in countless ways.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROBERT NEAL SKINNER, III, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF BUCKHANNON, pursuant to the power & authority duly vested in me, do hereby proclaim Friday, May 15, 2026, to be “FRIENDLY WAY DAY” throughout our City of Buckhannon. I further proclaim that our City’s 2026 honorees shall be Tom Anderson & Rick Kitzmiller. Furthermore, I hereby direct the installation of permanent placards upon the “Red Wall” located along Friendly Way to forever honor & recognize Tom Anderson & Rick Kitzmiller.
I urge all residents and Festival visitors alike to join Buckhannon’s most honored citizens today, Tom Anderson & Rick Kitzmiller, along with members of their Fire Department, family and friends, at our 19th annual ceremony. May every Firemen’s Parade Day during our annual West Virginia Strawberry Festival now and forever be known as “Friendly Way Day” in honor and memory of our late, and beloved Fire Chief, Carl R. “Bud,” “Ole Friendly” Bennett. May it also pay tribute to the public service and substantial contributions to our community by gentlemen such as our 2026 honorees: Tom Anderson & Rick Kitzmiller.
