First responders to be honored at Gang Mills ceremony

Correction: A previous version of this story had the incorrect name of a fire department. The firefighter being honored at the ceremony is from the Caton Fire Department.

GANG MILLS, N.Y. ( WETM ) — Two first responders from the Southern Tier will be honored, and those who lost their lives on 9/11 will be remembered during a ceremony in Gang Mills on Wednesday.

A Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony will take place at First Responder Honor Park , located at the corner of South Hamilton Street and Forest Drive in Gang Mills, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The 10th Annual Tri-County First Responder of the Year Award will be presented to a New York State Trooper from Horseheads during the ceremony.

The Tri-County First Responder Honor Park Committee chose Trooper Brandon Salyerds to receive the award that recognizes the outstanding performance of a first responder in the Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben tri-county area. Salyerds has been a trooper for 17 years and was involved in high-profile cases with his K9, Theo, last year. Salyerds will be recognized for his continuous work in the community and in schools in the area.

The Caton Fire Department’s Robert Joe Richards Jr. will also be honored at the ceremony. Richards has been involved in the local fire service and the EMS community for more than 50 years. Richards has influenced many young people to join the fire service and EMS field over the years and has been a mentor and trainer for a large amount of local first responders.

The Honor Park Committee says that Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, Senator Tom O’Mara, and Congressman Nick Langworthy or their representatives will be at the remembrance ceremony to give statements. Erwin Town Manager Melissa Greenthall will also be speaking.

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