The inaugural First Responder Appreciation Dinner honored those who selflessly serve and risk so much for community members.

Retired Columbiana County Municipal Court Judge Mark Frost, who also is a church member, emceed the event with Pastor Steve Cramer offering invocation and benediction.

The dinner was the brainchild of church member Jim Bricker, who served in the military during Vietnam and has family members in law enforcement. Brinker approached church officials about his idea several years ago. It finally came to fruition this year.

In addition to serving five years as a MP (Military Police officer), Brinker later served in the infantry and had family members serve as stateside police officers.

From left, Emcee Mark Frost, retired Columbiana service director Jay Groner and Grace Church Pastor Steve Cramer sit at the head table during the idinner, hosted by the church. Frost is a member of the church as well as a retired municipal court judge for Columbiana County. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

Frost shared the story of one of Brinker’s sons who was a patrolman in Harrisburg, Pa. and survived along with his partner 12 gunshots fired through their cruiser. It is this experience of this his son –now the chief homicide detective for that department –which reminded Bricker of the danger that police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians face every day on the job on behalf of their communities.

Former Columbiana service director Jay Groner, who retired in 2012 and still serves as a fire inspector for the city fire department, provided histories of the police, fire and EMS departments.

The dinner was by invitation only and included firstresponders and spouses.. A La Cart of Canfield catered the meal.

Bricker hopes that the celebration can become an annual event and expands.

Members of the city of Columbiana’s first responders stand as Jim Brinker (not pictured) leads the Pledge of Allegiance before Grace Church’s inaugural First Responder Appreciation Dinner Wednesday night. Brinker, a member of the church, proposed the dinner several years ago as he is former military police officer who has ties to law enforcement. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

Grace Church Pastor Steve Cramer, front left, sits at a table to listen to the program during the church’s inaugural First Responder Appreciation Dinner Wednesday night. The event was by invitation and also included children. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

Members of Columbiana’s police, fire and EMS attended Grace Church’s inaugural First Responder Appreciation Dinner. Fire inspector Jay Groner, who also is a former municipal service director, spoke on the three department’s history. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)