At the age of 64 and after 30 years of fire service, my father-in-law Don, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He began treatment immediately and started his fight. The radiation treatments took a toll on his body, but his resolve remained. I found myself looking for a way to show him how much he meant to us as he was undergoing his battle, and this plaque was born. Over the next 8 months, every free second I had was spent working on the design and eventually producing it. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse when doctors discovered that he had developed melanoma. He found peace shortly thereafter.

I finished Don's plaque just in time for his memorial service, and I realized it had taken on a new meaning. It was a way for all of us to remember him and how he lived, to preserve his name and the legacy he left behind. We miss him every day, but we are proud to see how he lives on through our family and friends.

Until we meet again, Don.

-Tom Waggoner