LAMPASAS, TX — Firefighter Donnell Rathman is being celebrated for his 70 years of service to the Lampasas Fire Department.
“It really makes me feel good. I really appreciate it. I wasn’t expecting anything like this,and I’m really excited about it, and I do appreciate it. It’s wonderful,” said Rathman, better known as Duck around the firehouse.
Rathman was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the city. He was also recognized with a certificate and flag by Congressman Roger Williams' office.
“He joined when he was 16 and when he graduated high school, he joined the Fort Hood Fire Department, and worked for them for 20 years,” said Assistant Fire Chief Randy Lake, of Lampasas Fire.
During his time at the Fort Hood Fire Department, he continued to volunteer with the Lampasas Fire Department.
“My dad and his two brothers and my grandad were all firemen in Lampasas they all volunteered,” said Rathman.
Among the dozens in attendance, several high school classmates came. Marlene Corbin recounts a typical day sitting in class.
“We heard the fire whistle, this dude jumped up threw his books down, ran across the room, jumped out the window, ran down the stairs, I saw him grab somebody’s bicycle, he didn’t know who’s...he didn’t have any idea. Took off on there,” said Corbin.
Rathman says he has no intentions of retiring. He says that he has never missed a drill, and does not plan on missing one in the future.
