The Gray Fire Department celebrated five graduates of the Firefighter 1 class during a ceremony last month, and three of those new firefighters will be serving residents of Gray.
Gray’s new firefighters are Klay Aspinwall, Savannah Mathis and Jared Turner. Firefighter Ethan Johnson is from Baldwin County, and Jacob Penly is from Eastlake.
GFD Lt. Mark Husted served as the master of ceremonies for the May 31 graduation and began with a welcome.
“Graduation is the culmination of over 300 hours of classes for these young people. We celebrated adding wonderful and talented members to the fire service family,” he said. “The fire service is a unique opportunity, a bond that transcends race, gender and geographic boundaries.”
He added public service comes with great responsibility.
Husted introduced the guests of honor: Fire Chief Keith Eisele, City of Gray; Training Offer and Capt. Heather Johnson, City of Gray; Fire Chief Phil Adams, Baldwin County Fire Rescue; Training Officer Lt. Jessie Law, Baldwin County Fire Rescue; and Chief Roger Medberry, Eastlake Fire Department.
Johnson was the next speaker. She talked about watching the cadets walk into the training room for the first time Jan. 24.
“Over the last 18 weeks, these recruits have been challenged physically, mentally and emotionally. They have endured demanding training, difficult scenarios and high expectations. They were pushed to the limit and further,” she said.
Johnson said over the next months, she watched them become a team.
Speaking to the graduates, she said, “Always strive to be the firefighter you would want to show up at your family’s doorstep during their darkest moment.”
She concluded by congratulating the members of Class 2026-1.
Eisele was the next to address the graduates. He thanked the instructors and families and stated that the achievement of the graduates also belongs to them. The chief said being a firefighter is a noble profession.
“From this day forward, you will see a sense of pride in them that is difficult to describe unless you have lived it yourself.”
The chief went on to explain the fire service is unlike any other profession.
“We stand beside one another through triumph and tragedy. From this day forward, your family has become part of ours,” he said.
He said the profession rewards humility, and quitting is never an option.
“Some days are routine, and some days change you forever.”
The valedictorian of the graduating class, Savanah Mathis, also spoke. She stated that she was looking for a purpose before she became a firefighter. Mathis added that everyone has a different story.
“Today gives purpose, something bigger than ourselves. When we learned to be firefighters, we became one,” she said.
Johnson announced the Certificate of Participation awarded to Cadet Gabrielle Massengale. She said the cadet is 15 years old and showed a level of determination and perseverance that impressed everyone around her.
The badge pinning ceremonies by families and fire chiefs was next, and the program concluded with Eisele’s administration of the firefighter’s oath.
