As one of the longest standing members of the Sixes Rural Fire Protection District, I can truthfully say that there is hardly a person or nonprofits we are more indebted to than Mr. Tom Sowards with the firefighter cycling nonprofit Northwest Fire Velo and their connection to The Gary Sinise Foundation. He and the 2017 Firefighters Ride 4 RISE cyclists opened our eyes to the wonderful organization that is The Gary Sinise Foundation and all the amazing things they do for our veterans and first responders.
Additionally, Tom went above and beyond the call when he spearheaded our department’s receipt of 25 brand new firefighting turnouts from the Gary Sinise Foundation. Without Mr. Sowards, The Firefighters Ride 4 Rise, and the Gary Sinise Foundation, we would still be fighting fire in very questionably safe turnouts and putting our health and lives unnecessarily at more risk. We owe so much to these organizations and the people who run them: our new turnouts were truly nothing short of miraculous for our small but dedicated crew.
The lives they have touched is something that cannot be put into actual words, and we are forever grateful for your selflessness, your friendship, and your dedication to honoring and protecting all those who serve. With all our hearts, we thank you.
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-Ashley L. Moore, Captain
Sixes Rural Fire Protection District
Sixes River, OR
