[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 109 (Thursday, June 22, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E600]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF MICHAEL R. GLASS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 22, 2023

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Michael R. 
Glass of Salem, Virginia, who passed away on June 4, 2023. Glass was 
described by his loved ones as an ``outstanding father, husband, 
brother, friend, mentor, and Firefighter.'' Mike dedicated his life to 
serving his community, following in his father's footsteps, and 
becoming a volunteer firefighter at Fort Lewis Fire Department in 1978. 
Mike then became a career firefighter with Salem Fire Department in 
1987, where he obtained his EMT certification and served as part of the 
Regional HazMat team.
  Committed to expanding access to fire service training programs, Mike 
was influential in starting Roanoke County's Volunteer Firefighter 
Academy, where he continued as the Lead Instructor. He also helped 
start a second fire academy in conjunction with the Elliston Fire 
Department in Montgomery County. Mike retired from the Salem Fire 
Department in 2008 after 20 years of service and from the Fort Lewis 
Fire Department in 2019 after 41 years of service. While at Fort Lewis, 
he served as treasurer and lieutenant and won service Firefighter of 
the Year awards.
  Over the years, I had the privilege of attending many Fort Lewis 
Chicken Barbeque dinners, which Mike organized twice a year and were 
the department's biggest fundraiser, with proceeds going toward the 
department's budget and providing training and safety equipment for the 
station. When not fighting fires, Mike loved making trips to the Smoky 
Mountains with his family and friends. He also had a great love for 
dogs and had a special place in his heart for children, making sure to 
hand out a few dollar bills to any youngsters he came across.
  Mike joins his wife Bonnie, his parents Harrison and Barbara, and 
best friend Kevin Sheppard in heaven. Mike is survived by his son, 
Stephen Palmer (Stephanie); grand-dog, Ace; his baby sister, Becky 
Ayers (Justin); special nephews, Jase, and Ryan Ayers; brothers, James 
and Ronnie Glass; Sister, Anne Paitsel (David); special nieces, Sylvia 
Paitsel (Cedrick); great niece, Leia; and special aunt, Sandra Dawley. 
I wish them condolences on the loss of their loved one. Mike served as 
a mentor to countless Volunteer Firefighters, and his contributions to 
Salem and the fire departments around Southwest Virginia will not be 
forgotten. He will be greatly missed.

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