Supporting First Responders Is Our Way of Saying Thanks

During National Emergency Medical Services Week last year, WoodmenLife member Gordon Merry of Huntington, WV, was honored for 50 years of service to Cabell County. Though flattered, Merry saw the moment more as recognition of how much the county’s emergency services have grown since 1974, when he joined as a paramedic.

Merry, 71, originally wanted to go into law enforcement, but believed he was too small. Instead, he entered the paramedic program as a career stopgap. He never left. Now, it’s hard to imagine what the Cabell County Emergency Medical Services Department would be without him.

When Merry first joined the county EMS, it had just 24 staff members and two ambulances. Now, Merry serves as the department’s director and oversees more than 200 employees, nine stations, and 32 ambulances.

Much of that growth was the work of Merry, who has spearheaded fundraising and modernizing of the department.

“Gordon has worked his entire life serving others and helping in his community,” said WoodmenLife Financial Representative Kevin Hall. “He and his team have persevered through many obstacles to continue to provide quality emergency medical services to the citizens of Cabell County.”

Supporting First Responders Is an Honor

Hall’s comments touch on what continues to drive Merry five decades into his career.

“It’s the rewards that come from giving back to the people and the county,” he said, “and knowing that we’re helping people and making our communities better.”

Merry is thankful for WoodmenLife’s consistent support of Cabell County EMS. In fact, WoodmenLife Chapter 66 in Huntington and Chapter 223 in Milton helped with the picnic where Merry was honored last year.

Seeing how supporting First Responders is such a priority for us makes Merry thankful that he, his wife, and son are all WoodmenLife members.

You’re Here for Us, We’re Here for You

WoodmenLife believes true heroes deserve more. Supporting First Responders is how we show it. We’re pleased to say thanks to these hometown heroes who selflessly safeguard our families, homes, and communities every day:

• Our First Responders Extra¹ pays $25,000² to the family of every First Responder member who dies in the line of duty.
• WoodmenLife chapters across the country take part in projects and activities that raise funds for equipment and material to help firefighters, EMTs, and law enforcement officers do their jobs.

Learn more about how WoodmenLife supports First Responders at WoodmenLife.org/First-Responders.

1. WoodmenLife Extras are available to members. An individual becomes a member by joining our shared commitment to family, community and country, and by purchasing a product. These extras are not contractual, are subject to change and have specific eligibility requirements, such as length of membership, number of qualifying members in household and/or qualifying event.

2. $25,000 benefit applies to officially registered non-military First Responders. WoodmenLife Extras are not contractual, are subject to change and have specific eligibility requirements.

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