The American Legion Department of Illinois selected 1st Assistant Chief Joe R. Bielema, from the Morrison, IL, Fire Department, as the Firefighter of the Year for the State of Illinois. The honor was received in Springfield, IL, on Friday, July 10, 2015 during the Department of Illinois Convention. Department Commander Henry Robards and Department Adjutant Martin F. Conatser presented Bielema with the prestigious award.
On Monday, July 13, at their monthly meeting, Legionnaires and Joe Bielema were photographed by Morrison’s Steve Siefken, Park Street Pictures, 815-564-8973. Shown left-to-right are Phil Hamstra, Al Biekema, Irwin Stralow, John Brearton, Barry Linder, Bielema, Dale Usterbowski, Jerry Brearton, Bob Brands, Fred Steele, Clayton Pearson, Terry Jones, Jim Britt, and Ken Petersen.
