The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7059 held its 71st Annual Awards Dinner honoring members who were called “local heroes” Saturday.

The Post awarded plaques to Farmville Police Department Detective Albert Bappert, Prince Edward County Sheriff’s Deputy Lynneaus Carr, Farmville Firefighter Noah Lovelady and Prince Edward Rescue Squad Isaac Broadwater. Terry Wyatt, from Fuqua School, earned Teacher of the Year. According to Fred Hill, the Post’s commander, Wyatt was also nominated by the district VFW and will be considered by the state organization.

Hill said Peggy Emert, Post 7059 auxiliary president, presented the VFW Patriot’s Pen Youth Essay Contest awards to Tyler Harris, first place, $100 award; Kendall Moore, second place, $75 award; Lauren Wright, third place, $50 award; and Jackson Whaley, fourth place, $25 award.

“Post 7059 and auxiliary members volunteer their time to Meals on Wheels, (Centra) Southside Community Hospital and the Moton Museum, to name a few,” said Hill.

“Members visit our veterans in area nursing facilities and McGuire (Veteran Affairs) Hospital, Richmond.”

Hill said members place flags on graves of veterans in Farmville cemeteries each Memorial Day and Veterans Day, present programs in schools, participate in the town’s Veterans Day commemorations, march in the annual Christmas parade and provide direct assistance for area veterans.

“Annually, we honor local heroes who serve us all on a daily basis,” Hill said, “those who protect us from malevolence, save our homes, deliver life-saving procedures and educate our leaders of tomorrow.”