(KAIR)--The Atchison VFW Post #1175 has awarded its Officer of the Year and EMT of the year.

The Officer of the Year Award went to Captain Travis Eichelberger of the Atchison Police Department, while the EMT Award went to Captain George Duff.

Fred Gage is the Junior Vice Commander for the local post and is in charge of the awards program. Gage says both Eichelberger and Duff are great examples of people who work hard to serve the local community.

“These individuals that are nominated are the ones that are the front-runners, the self-starters, the ones that come out and help you. And a lot of times in our community the EMT’S and the law enforcement are dealing with people that are really having a hard time.”

Eichelberger and Duff were presented plaques at outdoor ceremonies earlier this week.

Both nominations now advance to the VFW’s district level, where they will compete with other posts in the area. Those results are expected later in the year.

The local VFW post also recognizes exemplary individuals from other groups. Each year the post honors a student of the year and a teacher of the year at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. They also present awards to outstanding boy and girl scouts.