Mr. Herbert Reed retired at 91 after 66 years with the Oakdale Fire Department, the majority of those years being assistant chief.
Reed started as a firefighter in December of 1956. Members of the department celebrated Reed’s contribution to Oakdale by giving him a retirement party where family and friends could show their appreciation.
Tony Pickens presented Reed with an award stating, “The flames you have extinguished in your 66 years with The Oakdale Fire Department will forever be a testament to your bravery. Enjoy your retirement and may it be as bright as your legacy that you have placed on this department and the City of Oakdale,” while also adding some words of his own on how much respect he and the department had for Reed.
To add to the special occasion, the Allen Parish Sheriff’s Department sent out an announcement sharing Reed’s retirement and thanking him for the leadership he has provided over the years accompanied with sounding the fire horn.
Pickens stated it’s not the big things in life but the small things. Reed’s legacy will surely live on in the small and big impacts he has had on the town of Oakdale.
Reed gave some advice to the department stating, “The main thing is that you stick with it.”
