Wearing ceremonial white gloves and standing at attention, many members of the Russellville-Lohman Fire Protection District took turns standing guard at the casket of a young firefighter in the Rusellville High School gym.
The visitation for Kaleb Libbert, 20, Centertown, who died in a vehicle accident Sept. 26, lasted ten hours, including a balloon release outside at the baseball field, where he had played a few years earlier.
The firefighters were there the entire time to show honor and respect to the young man many had mentored as an adopted son, said Chief Chris Cinotto.
"I was personally involved with Kaleb since he was 12, a lot of people were ... he had a thousand dads," Cinotto said.
The honor guard was part of that effort.
"The guys said this is our guy and we're gonna honor him," Cinotto said.
Volunteers from the Cole County Fire Protection District, including Capt. Larry Rizner, taught the Russellville-Lohman volunteers proper motions, steps, turns and stances.
"It was honoring to see how Cole County stepped up and would go out of its way to help us out," Cinotto said.
The county firemen also covered the Russellville-Lohman district the day of the funeral. The county department brought seven firefighters and its own equipment, which it set out at the edge of Route AA, as part of a salute they offered to the funeral procession as it passed by.
"It shows respect," Rizner said. "You want to make it as dignified and respectful as possible."
Further, the county department shared its restored 1969 pumper truck, equipped to transport caskets. That allowed the firemen and pallbearers to give Libbert the ultimate honor of being carried through a line of saluting firemen from his funeral service at Mt. Olive Baptist Church to his final resting place at Enloe Cemetery by fire engine, Cinotto said.
"That week showed me what brotherhood is about and the community got to see it," Cinotto said. "It brought a lot of people closer together."
Unfortunately, some of Libbert's fellow volunteers had to work his accident, too, Cinotto pointed out. So it was a very emotional week, in addition to a physical one.
The Russellville-Lohman Fire Protection District Auxiliary, revived in the last year, was a key support to helping the fire department volunteers make it through, Cinotto said.
The auxiliary brought water, blankets and compassion to support firefighters who responded to the initial accident.
Then, they maintained a respite room during the ten-hour visitation day, providing a quiet place for the family and the firefighters to retreat to. They kept it filled with a variety of food and snacks, said president Teresa McKinney.
"They stayed the whole time our guys were there," Cinotto said. "They gave us shoulders to cry on, too.
"They relieved another burden from our guys."
Now, the auxiliary is in need of replenishing its supplies, McKinney said.
A barbecue will be served beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Eagle Stop parking lot at the intersection of Routes C and D. Pulled pork, pork steak and bratwurst meals will be served for $8-9.
It is the auxiliary's first fundraising activity. When it first reorganized, several individuals and businesses donated funds and materials.
Since the funeral, the auxiliary has picked up four new members.
"Without the auxiliary, it would be difficult for us to do our jobs," Cinotto said.