Andrew Postle, The Quill
The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Andrew Postle, The Quill
When the Stronghurst Lighted Christmas Parade began Friday evening, the man riding in the place of honor as Grand Marshal wasn’t a celebrity or a politician. He was a local farmer who has spent the last seven years racing 14 miles from his home to the ambulance shed to make sure someone else gets to see another Christmas.
Lee Moore, a volunteer with the Stronghurst Ambulance Service since 2018 and a licensed EMT since 2020, has been chosen as Grand Marshal in recognition of his tireless dedication to the community’s emergency medical service.
“I wouldn’t be Grand Marshal if it wasn’t for the other volunteers, the drivers, the EMRs, and the people who help,” Moore said humbly. “This honor belongs to all of us.”
Since joining the service, Moore has responded to numerous calls, including 193 already in 2025. He’s the only advanced-level provider on many shifts, often backed by just one driver or EMR in the rig. When the pager goes off, Christmas dinner, Thanksgiving, birthdays, or date night with his wife Mindy, Lee goes.
Moore’s path to the ambulance started on the Raritan Fire Department, where he took an EMR class in Roseville. When Stronghurst faced a critical shortage of help, Raritan firefighters began cross-responding. Moore saw the need and stepped up.
“I hate to say it, but there’s a rush to it,” he admits. “Helping someone on what might be the worst day of their life…that’s a real accomplishment.”
Some days are heavier than others. A pediatric cardiac arrest still haunts him. “Those are always tough,” he says quietly. “Hopefully it’s the last.”
But there are victories too. In Blandinsville, Moore helped bring a good friend back with CPR. He and a neighbor’s grandson worked for 30 minutes to restart another man’s heart, giving the family three precious extra months.
“That was great to hear,” Moore says, “That’s why we do it.”
In a small town, patients are rarely strangers. Moore knows their histories, their families, and a week later he’ll see them at the bank or the restaurant and ask how they’re doing.
The community returns the care with free meals, heartfelt thank-yous, and memorial donations.
Yet the future concerns him. Volunteer numbers across rural America are dropping. Gladstone and Lomax have already lost their ambulances. Moore warns county leaders that Stronghurst could be next if new help doesn’t step forward.
“I’m one bad call away from not being able to do this anymore,” he explained at a recent ambulance committee meeting. “We’ve got to prepare now.”
His message to kids lining the parade route is simple: “It takes dedication and time away from your family. But it’s one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do.”
Beyond the ambulance, Moore’s resume of service runs deep. The self-employed farmer who took over the family operation in 2012 has coached everything from tee-ball to high school JV football, served eight years on the West Prairie School Board, eight years as Blandinsville Township trustee, and sat as vice president of the Farmers Grain of Roseville board. He’s also a proud member of the Blandinsville, MST and Raritan fire departments. Lee is also a member of the Stronghurst Christian Church.
When he earned his National EMT license, he called it “one of the proudest days of my life.”
Lee and Mindy (Endicott) Moore have been married 20 years. They have four sons, Austin (Debanie) Moore with granddaughter Ivy, Jackson Moore, Chris (Abby) Schmidt and Nick (Ashley) Schmidt with 2-month grandson Scottie.
As the parade lights twinkled down Broadway Street, Stronghurst got a chance to say thank you to a man who has given up numerous nights, holidays, and hot dinners to help neighbors in need.
And if you saw Lee Moore waving from the ambulance, we hope you gave him a big wave back, and maybe consider taking that next EMR class.