Special to Iredell Free News
Chris Holmes, a resident of Harmony and member of the Harmony Fire Department for five years, made and graciously donated a wooden “K9 Flag” sign to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Canine Unit on Thursday morning.
ICSO Canine Deputy Nathaniel Hodges and Canine “Levi” met with Holmes at the Harmony Fire Department to accept this gift on behalf of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.
Holmes enjoys woodworking as a hobby, and this was a way to show appreciation to the Sheriff’s Office. He has made numerous wooden flags, which he has donated to those in public service around the community including the Fire Service, Law Enforcement, and Emergency Services.
“This is his way of saying thank you for the work they do. I appreciate the work the Sheriff’s Office canines have done for the community,” he said.
As all responders know, we don’t do what we do for thanks, and it’s rarely given. We do it because we want to serve our community the best way we can. When others need help or unable to help themselves, that’s where we come in, serving in a time of need, not for thanks but because it’s the right thing to do. If a stranger passed you by and said hi, imagine if everyone did that. My wife and I saw a homeless man on the side of the road by Taco Bell on a cold night, and she asked should we give him some change, and I said let’s do better and we turned quickly into Taco Bell and bought him a $5 meal. The uplift on his face was reward enough. He looked surprised that somebody thought of someone else in a time of need. I give these out not for money (I do sell to the public) but just to say we appreciate what you do, knowing the risks.