Honorees

← Back to directory

Year Honored
1995
Honoree
Harry Sword, Sr.
Agency
Lebanon Lifesaving Crew
Agency City
Lebanon
Agency State
VA
Last Call
2/18/84
Cause of Death
On-duty Cardiac
Biography
Wig Sword dedicated 23 years of his life to serving the people of Russell County, Virginia, as a charter member of the Russell County Rescue Squad, which was organized in 1961. He was serving as first lieutenant at the time of his death and had served as squad captain in 1972 and 1973. On the state level, Wig had served as the Board of Governors representative with the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads.<br /> <br /> As a life member of the Lebanon Jaycees, Wig received the Outstanding Squad Award for his devotion to the Jaycee Creed: "That service to humanity is the best work of life. "<br /> <br /> Wig was well known in Russell County and surrounding areas for his contributions to The Lebanon News. He was sports editor for many years writing the column "Hogskin Harry's Predictions," indulging his love for country music in a column called "Rural Route Country", and commenting on news of years gone by in "Remember When." "And somehow he found the time for his full time job--assistant manager of the Lebanon Apparel Manufacturing Company."<br /> <br /> The most important part of Wig's life was his wife, Lynn, their two children, Harry "Poncho" and Misty, and granddaughter, Lauren.<br /> <br /> Wig gave his life in the service of another. On February 17, 1984, he and the squad responded to a call of a patient with chest pain.While loading the patient for transport, Wig began to have chest pain himself. Never one to complain, he finished the call and went home "not feeling well. Unfortunately, the pain became worse and he was transported by the squad he had served with such devotion. Wig died early the following morning at the age of43.<br /> <br /> Honored 1995