Just a couple of hours after receiving a standing ovation during Gov. Bill Graves' "State of the State" speech, Lawrence paramedic Lyle Schwartz was back at work.
"It was a good experience. I was honored to be there," Schwartz, a lieutenant for Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical, said of his brief visit to the Capitol.
Schwartz was among seven firefighters, law enforcement and military personnel invited as special guests of Graves in honor of those who lost their lives during the Sept. 11 terrorist attack.
"Sept. 11 changed our lives in countless ways," Graves said. "One of the most important lessons we learned is how, far too often, we take for granted the service of our public safety officials. When we talk about homeland security, these men and women serve on the front line."
When Graves introduced Schwartz and the others in the House gallery, lawmakers and other state officials gave them a standing ovation.
Graves spokesman Don Brown said the individuals selected were chosen through discussions with the attorney general's office and public safety associations.
Schwartz said he thought that he might have been chosen because he was the first public safety official to respond to a traffic accident that involved family members of a Graves staff member.
After attending the "State of the State" speech, Schwartz said he stopped to eat dinner and then returned to work at Station 4.
Others honored Monday were Cherryvale Chief of Police Tommy Wilson, Finney County Deputy Sheriff Tracy Romero, Topeka Firefighter Chris Herrera, Kansas Trooper Amber Harrington, Kansas Air National Guardsman Staff Sgt. Jose Salcido and Kansas Army National Guardsman Sgt. Mike Barber.
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