“Every Loyalty Day has beautiful weather. We have been blessed,” said Rep. William Adolph on Saturday as the skies were clear and the temperature more like early summer.

Adolph spoke as an eyewitness, having attended all but one of the 18 annual observances organized by Springfield VFW Post 5705 to honor the township’s first responders. He noted that one year he attended his son’s play off lacrosse game at the encouragement of his wife.

“Family first; township second. That’s the way it is in Springfield. But we are recognizing folks who have put their families second on many days and nights and countless occasions,” said Adolph.

It is ironic, therefore, that family motivates many of the township’s first responders to become those who provide critical help to others. Two of the three honorees this year have just such a history.

Firefighter of the Year Capt. Edward J. Abel, Jr. sat with his father who had similarly been honored a few years ago. The junior Abel has been with the Springfield Fire Department for 20 years in various leadership positions. As an instructor for his company, Abel has lead Springfield firefighters to consistently excel at competitions with other county departments. The senior Abel has been “wearing the uniform” for 50 years, and the mutual pride of father and son was evident throughout the ceremony.

“The Abel family has served the township for decades, showing that a lot of the vocation comes from what you learn at home sitting around the dining room table,” said Adolph.

Cathy Griglione, E.M.S. of the Year, said discussions at the table were exactly what prompted her to join the Springfield Ambulance Corps.

“My husband and daughter were already EMTs, and I felt really left out from those talks. I didn’t know if I could do it, but I became CPR certified and then really got the bug to go ahead,” said Griglione.

The accomplishment of 1,000 calls in her six years of running with the corps were cited as remarkable and exemplary of her willingness to cover shifts and help out whenever there was need. Cathy’s husband, Paul, is a 10-year member and was previous EMS of the Year (a year it rained, he quipped).

Stephen Hurwitz was selected Policeman of the Year by Chief Joseph Daly and members of the SPD who constitute family. Hurwitz’s immediate family, wife Diana and their 1-year-old daughter Ava, were never far from his side during the festivities. Commended by Daly already twice in the last few months, Hurwitz’s specific skills include an intuitive, pro-active approach to policing.

The award to Hurwitz, a 1993 Cardinal O’Hara graduate who joined the SPD in 2003, provided an opportunity for light-hearted banter about the comparative merits of O’Hara and Monsignor Bonner among Adolph and his fellow legislators Rep. Bryan Lentz, D-161; Sen. “Ted” Erickson, R-26; and Bill Walsh, the representative for Rep. Joseph Sestak, D-7. Rev. Wylie Johnson gave the invocation and benediction.

All seven of Springfield’s commissioners also attended. At the April meeting, the board passed a proclamation recognizing the VFW's Loyalty Day event which was accepted by Post Commander Albert Evangelista and other post members.

Abel and Hurwitz were still responding to questions outside as guests enjoyed lunch inside the township. A siren could be heard in the distance. What, they were asked, does that make you think?

“It’s another call for help, and every call is different. We train to encounter the unexpected,” said Abel.

“No call is routine,” Hurwitz agreed. “I start thinking about what I will need to do when I get to the call. I also know I don’t know everything, and am still learning from others with more experience.”