Pam Dudding
Courtesy photo
Many citizens in Craig County have been given great kudos from the community for their extraordinary work due to their work ethic, dedication and moral standards of living, though few have received public attention.
For Donna Birtsch it changed as she was recently selected as the VFW 2022-23 National Dispatcher of the Year.
“I am honored to have been thought of for such an acknowledgement and humbled that it came from the men and women of the VFW, a group I admire deeply,” she shared. “Their dedication, loyalty, and sacrifice ensure our freedom and give me the opportunity to serve as a dispatcher.”
The award was presented to Birtsch at the VFW 6th-District meeting by District Commander George Winters, Donna Birtsch, State Senior Vice Commander Mitchell Rubenstein and Craig Valley VFW Post 4491 Commander Billy Lee.
“This is not our usually county award,” Lee exclaimed. “This is national!”
“I had always wanted to have a job that was a service to other people and our community so when a full time 911 position became available in Craig County, I felt like it would be a good way to be of service,” said Birtsch who continues her job working as a dispatcher for the Craig County Sheriff’s Office.
“This award is a purdy big deal!” Lee said with a smile. “I don’t think anyone in our district has ever won one and our district consist of Radford, Covington, Roanoke, Daleville, Bedford, Clifton Forge, New Castle, Vinton, Christiansburg, Buchanan, Amherst, and Lynchburg.”
He continued, “I don’t think anyone in this district has ever won a national policeman of the year, fireman of the year, EMT of the year, or dispatcher of the year award either.”
Birtch’s coworkers shared that they enjoy working with her as she is excellent in her job and takes it seriously.
“I am proud to have been a 911 dispatcher for the Craig County Sheriff’s Office for 20 years,” Birtsch said. “I am blessed to be a part of a great team of dispatchers, law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians, and volunteer firefighters. It is my hope that our work gives back to Craig County community in some way.”
