Assembly Resolution No. 1017

BY: M. of A. Gray

CONGRATULATING Philip Gibson upon the occasion of
his retirement after 65 years of service to the
Morristown Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department

WHEREAS, The safety and well-being of the residents of Morristown,
New York, and its surrounding communities are dependent upon the
selfless dedication of volunteer first responders; and

WHEREAS, Philip "Hoot" Gibson joined the Morristown Volunteer Fire &
Rescue Department in 1960, embarking on a journey of service that has
spanned six and a half decades, a milestone achieved by only an elite
few in the history of the fire service; and

WHEREAS, For 65 years, Philip Gibson has remained an active and
vital pillar of the Department, answering the call at all hours of the
day and night, through North Country winters and summer heat alike,
putting the lives and property of his neighbors above his own comfort;
and

WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Philip Gibson has witnessed and
adapted to the evolution of firefighting, from the transition of vintage
apparatus to modern technology, all while maintaining the timeless
values of courage, integrity, and brotherhood; and

WHEREAS, Philip Gibson has served not only as a first responder but
also as a mentor, a repository of departmental history, and a steady
hand for generations of younger firefighters who have looked to him as
the embodiment of what it means to be a "volunteer"; and

WHEREAS, Philip Gibson's nickname, "Hoot," has become synonymous
with reliability and community spirit throughout Morristown and the
greater St. Lawrence County emergency service circles; now, therefore,
be it

RESOLVED, That the community of Morristown, the Morristown Volunteer
Fire & Rescue Department, and a grateful public do hereby extend their
deepest gratitude and highest honors to Philip "Hoot" Gibson for 65
years of continuous, active service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this Resolution be permanently recorded in the annals
of the Department as a testament to a lifetime of sacrifice and that we
celebrate Philip "Hoot" Gibson as a true North Country hero whose legacy
will inspire future volunteers for generations to come.