MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Friends, family and colleagues gathered in the Town Hall Room in the Township Municipal Building at the end of April to celebrate the promotion of three Meridian Township Fire Department employees.

One of those promoted was Matthew Walters, an 18 year veteran of the department. Captain Walters was able to share the moment with his family, who helped him put on the new additions to his uniform.

"It's basically a once in a lifetime thing," Walters said. "You're promoted at each section, so you like to have the kids involved, they get personal buy-in, and they can understand how important it is and what you have to go through to get it"

"Today is a day of celebration," Meridian Township Fire Chief Fred Cowper said. "What we do on a daily basis, we put out fires and we treat the sick and injured. That's daily. This is special, this doesn't happen that often."

Also promoted were Jeffrey Rommeck to the rank of Lieutenant, and Rebecca-Jo Lewis to full-time firefighter.