Hartford VT firefighter Wesley Black has received the 2019 Hero of the Year award by Heroes Home Advantage Partners of Chittenden County. The award celebrates his distinguished career in the military and his current career as a firefighter.
In 2005 Wesley Black served with the Vermont National Gaurd’s 3/172nd Mountain Batallion during his 1st deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq as a rifleman & turret gunner and was recognized with a Navel Unit Citation by the US Marine Corps. His second deployment was with the 3/172nd in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2009 as an infantry team and squad leader and also as a sniper team leader.
When Wesley returned home in 2011 he was selected to be part of two training teams that trained foreign militaries in combat in austere environments. In 2012 Wesley was part of a team that trained NATO allies in Macedonia. He trained members of 15 different partner countries in combat, sniper and counterinsurgency operations.
Wesley was medically retired in May of 2015 and received multiple awards while serving with the Vermont National Guard including The Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star with Valor, the Purple Heart and the Army Commendation with Valor.
Wesley attended and received an AA degree in Liberal Arts from Community College of VT, started his firefighting career with the Springfield FD and joined the Hartford FD in 2016.
Firefighter Black received the award in front of his peers in St. Johnsbury at the annual Hartford VT Firefighter Awards ceremony on January 17th. John Abry, the Heroes Home Advantage Realtor partner stated: “Wesley’s story shows that his service to our country has been exemplary, his advocacy for fellow veterans has been magnanimous and his determination to continue his work with the Hartford Fire Department, despite his diagnosis, displays his fortitude to continue his life of service above self.” Heroes Home Advantage is a national real estate rebate program for those that protect, serve and care for our country and communities. Each year the partners of Chittenden County recognize an outstanding Hero from the categories that they serve. More info and Wesley’s complete story at http://www.heroeshomeadvantage.com/