WARSAW — Democrats in Kosciusko County are fired up for the upcoming election as close to 100 attended the second annual Salute to Service Saturday evening, Sept. 22, at Noa, Noa, Warsaw.

Vicki Morton, left, county Democrat vice chair, looks on as Jim Townsend, center, is presented the Opal Miller Service Award by Brian Smith, county Democrat chairman.

The evening focused on recognizing those who have served – the local party and the military. Awards were presented to Jim Townsend, Jeanne Phipps, and teenagers Michael and Mason Brown, who worked the Turkey Creek Township Precinct 2 polls during the primary and will again for the general election. Elizabeth Cox, who was a senior at Warsaw Community High School, when she volunteered to work at the polls.

Brian Smith, county Democrat chairman, presented Townsend with the Opal Miller Service award. Smith noted he has always appreciated Townsend’s dedication, attendance at every single meeting. “I appreciate your service to the party. Thank you for welcoming me into the party. That is one of the reasons I’ve stuck with it and stayed active.”

Phipps was presented the Dale Tucker Award at the September county meeting due to a conflict for the evening. Jama Brown, party secretary, noted Phipps’ involvement in the community and programs. “She showed up at meetings in our community, in our area,” said Brown, noting she sponsored a citizenship class, started a Moms and Me action group in Warsaw, is a charter member of the county’s league of women’s voters, participated in the Students of Color event and many others. “That’s who Jeanne is. She shows up,” said Brown. Prior to the award presentation, Brown provided a brief history of Dale Tucker, who served as mayor of Warsaw, saw to the expansion of the airport, played a role in getting Ivy Tech to the county, was the county Democrat chairman, a shriner, a World War II veteran, town clerk and recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash. “To receive this award you have to be pretty special,” Brown stated.

Jeanne Phipps, center, was presented the Dale Tucker Award at the September meeting of the Kosciusko County Democrats. The award was announced at the dinner meeting Saturday evening. Vicki Morton, party vice chairwoman, is shown on the left, with Brian Smith, county chairman on the right.

Candidates on the Demoratic ballot in November were the guest speakers that evening. These speakers included John Aguilera, candidate for state treasurer; Courtney Tritch, candidate for 3^rd District U.S. Rep.; Dee Moore, candidate for State Rep. District 18; Todd Weingart, candidate for county commissioner – southern district; Wayne Township Trustee candidate, Shari Benyousky, Tippecanoe Township Trustee candidate, Rebecca Burton and Turkey Creek Township Trustee candidate, Martha Stoelting.

U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, Jim Harper, candidate for secretary of state, Joselyn Whitticker, candidate for auditor of state, and Mel Hall, candidate for U.S. Rep. District 2, were unable to attend

The evening closed with Smith firing up the party members, encouraging them not to just sit on the couch but to get out and talk to voters.

Surf board awards were presented to various sponsors, including officers of the party: Vicki Morton, vice chairwoman and Jama Brown, secretary, for their work and dedication.

Michael and Mason Brown receive volunteer awards from Vicki Morton for their work at the polls in the primary and upcoming general election.