Fire Marshal Presents Gold Coin to Delmont Fire Department

It was May 10th that the community of Delmont, South Dakota was forever changed.

A tornado swept threw town and suddenly devastation was everywhere. But the town, the area and the state drew together. As the recovery continues, the Delmont firefighters received a very special gift.

(AP) South Dakota's fire marshal has presented a gold coin to Delmont firefighters for their response to the Mother Day's tornado that devastated several community buildings.

The coin worth about $1,300 was forwarded to the state Fire Marshal's Office from an anonymous Sioux Falls donor.

State Fire Marshal Paul Merriman presented the coin to Fire Chief Elmer Goehring at the department's monthly Monday night meeting. The May 10 tornado damaged the fire station, a historic church and several homes.

Merriman says firefighters worked hard not only to rebuild their fire station but the entire community. He says the gift is a reward for what already has been done and what can be done in the future.

The chief says the department is not sure what it will do with the coin.

The Associated Press Contributed To This Article