Dysart-Kendall American Legion Post 29 named Captain Roger Whisnant as City of Lenoir Firefighter of the Year. That announcement was made during a recent during a recent Lenoir City Council meeting.

Dysart-Kendall American Legion Post 29 created the Firefighter and Officer of the Year Award to recognize local emergency services members and thank them for their contributions to keep the community safe. Four American Legion members attended the meeting to present the awards.

Captain Whisnant started working for the City of Lenoir Fire Department in 2001. During his nearly 22 years of service, Captain Whisnant has moved up the ranks from Firefighter I to Firefighter II, Inspector, Instructor, Lieutenant, and Captain. He currently serves as one of the Captains on the Ladder Company at Fire Station 2.

In addition to serving at the City of Lenoir Fire Department, Captain Whisnant is involved in multiple community endeavors. He helps teach emergency training at various fire departments in Caldwell and Wilkes Counties, and he has served as head baseball and softball coach at the Happy Valley Optimist Club for the past eight years. He also served as the assistant baseball and softball coach of Hibriten District in 2021 and the Western Carolina Warriors. He also teaches Sunday School at Piney Grove Baptist Church.