"Thank you to the individuals on the front lines who keep our families, our clients and their families, and our communities safe and secure throughout the year.” Louis H. Khourey & Jonathan E. Turak Gold, Khourey & Turak

Nearly 600 law enforcement officials, firefighters, first responders, and their family members representing 46 different departments throughout the Ohio Valley attended the 7th Annual Law Enforcement & Fire Safety Appreciation Day picnic held on Saturday, September 17, 2005. The attendance, both in number of people and number of departments represented, was the most ever for the annual event.

As with the past several years, this year's picnic was held at the National Corrections & Law Enforcement Training & Technology Center (NCLETTC), or also known simply as “The Moundsville Center.” The NCLETTC is located inside the former West Virginia Penitentiary and offers various training exercises and classes year-round for law enforcement, fire personnel and first responders. Call Mike Logsdon at the NCLETTC at 843-4147 for additional information. Each year the NCLETTC offers their facilities to Gold, Khourey & Turak for use during the picnic, and several of their staff members help with the picnic on their day off.

Unlike last year’s weather when the picnic was cancelled and rescheduled because of major flooding that occurred throughout our area, the weather could not have been better this year. As a result of the nice weather, our guests were able to enjoy most activities outside in the North Yard. The 4th Annual Firearms Simulator Competition and WVU @ Maryland football game on big screen t.v. needed to be kept indoors, while activities outside included a Giant Inflated Obstacle Course, Bounce House, and last year’s favorite, Sumo Wrestling. The Speed Pitch, Fire Safety House, and E-One Firetrucks are yearly favorites, and this year was no exception. Thanks to Jay Knapp, Brad Varlas, and Kenny Rhodes for securing these items for the event. The big screen t.v. was compliments of Eric Rowe from Rent-A-Center in Bridgeport, Ohio.

Additional items outside for the kids included a Craft Station and Child Fingerprinting. Guest of all ages were able to participate in volleyball, football, or throw horseshoes. All day long, Chef James and his staff from Café Burress worked hard to keep the food stocked and lines moving. For those guests who just wanted to sit and relax, Tony Wood, also known as Tony Summers, played their favorite tunes, while The Wheeling Park Steel Drum Band offered numerous performances throughout the day. This was the first year having the steel drum band, and everyone seemed to enjoy the sound, and the performers - a great group of kids.

Of course, those law enforcement officials and firefighters who registered at the welcome table received a Free T-shirt commemorating this year’s picnic. The staff at Gold, Khourey & Turak also handed out 60 free tickets for tours of the West Virginia Penitentiary, and the upcoming Haunted House.

The annual picnic is provided courtesy of Gold, Khourey & Turak.

Please click here to view photos from this year's picnic. If you attended the picnic, we'd like to hear your comments. Please click here to submit your comments.