By Silvio Panta
Odessa American
ODESSA, Texas — Well wishers and loved ones paid tribute Friday to a veteran member of Odessa Fire/Rescue who was retiring after 25 years of service.
Odessa Fire/Rescue Assistant Fire Chief Glen Hogue, a lifelong 58-year-old Odessa resident, was lauded for his commitment and drive during a modest ceremony at the Main Station house where he was honored as the last firefighter retiree of 2016.
A montage of pictures that featured shots of Hogue smiling alongside his daughters in front of a fire truck and an enlarged article telling how Hogue got promoted in December 1999 to EMS Coordinator were shown.
OFR Fire Chief Roger Boyd said Hogue started with the OFR April 29, 1991 and ended his time with the department when he retired on Friday.
Boyd also praised the man he considered not just as a friend but a confidant who oversaw the EMS unit. Hogue’s family members and a host of other current firefighters, and a few retirees, attended the festive event that was marked by a few poignant moments.
Hogue was presented with a plaque and a “benevolence check,” of an undisclosed amount, by Boyd. The check was made up of donations from every member of the OFR and Hogue’s bunker number of 57 would be retired, Boyd said.
“This is all about you today, brother,” Boyd told Hogue, who was praised by OFR Assistant Fire Chief John Alvarez, telling him “thank you so much for your service.”
Hogue’s wife, Annette, was happy for her husband and was overheard telling someone giddily, “I get to have him home with me all the time now.”
With all their three daughters grown, Annette Hogue said she and her husband will enjoy years together and one day plan to do some fishing “at the lake” during his retirement.
“We’re excited,” said Annette Hogue, who proudly mentioned that one of her daughters, Michelle, will be graduating in May from Texas State University. “It’ll just be us having fun.”
Hogue found it hard to hold back the tears when he was at a loss to say something but the solemnity was broken by guffaws from the audience when wisecracking Leonard Joy, who retired in March 2006 as a firefighter/driver, blurted out, “we had fun, too.”
“It’s hard to say goodbye,” Hogue finally was able to say. “This is an exciting day for me, and for us.”