Friday, May 27, 2011

DAN BRAGG: DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN

On Tuesday night the Iroquois Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America (which represents Eastern Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Livingston and Wyoming counties) held their annual BoyPower dinner at Genesee Community College. It’s their single largest fundraiser of the year.

The 300 (+) attendees (business, community and political leaders from across the region) were able to hear an inspirational keynote address from USAF Captain Scott O’Grady who was shot down over Bosnia in 1995 and survived 6 days in hostile territory. His story was the inspiration for Behind Enemy Lines.

The attendees also celebrated Gasport’s Dan Bragg, who received one of the coveted Distinguished Citizens Awards. If you know Dan – and who doesn’t? – you know that the award was well-deserved. And, it was long-coming: surprisingly, until now, he’s never received the recognition that other community leaders have.

The BSA recognized these -- of many -- accomplishments of Dan. Just look at his service to the region over the years:

• He and his wife Diana organized and led a 4-H club for special needs children
• He helped manage Gasport’s Little League, taking it from 30 players to 250
• He’s an active member of the Royalton Republican Committee
• He serves on the Royalton town council
• He serves on the Royalton-Hartland school board
• He’s a social member of the Gasport fire company
• He’s a deacon at his church
• He’s been the manager of Standish-Jones for 24 years, a Gasport fixture
• He’s the proud father of 8 children

So, if you see Dan, please congratulate him on his award and thank him for everything he does for all of us.