Blessing of the Badges is tonight during FNL.

Pastor Henrik Lidman

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LUDINGTON — Tonight’s grand finale to the 2016 Friday Night Live series will be the annual Blessing of the Badges at 8:15 p.m. During the event, the area’s emergency services personnel — which includes firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, and 911 dispatchers — will receive a blessing by Pastor Henrik Lidman of Prayer and Praise Assembly of God. Lidman is also chaplain of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.

“President John F. Kennedy said ‘A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers,’” Lidman said. “I think it speaks volumes for our community, especially during these times of turmoil, that we can gather and honor the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to serve and protect our community.”

Lidman said he will call upon God’s protection for the emergency services personnel.

“This event is not only an opportunity to pray for these men and women but it’s also a chance for us to say thank you for everything they do.”

Anyone who works in local emergency services is welcome to participate in the event and is asked to gather at the Ludington Fire Station, located at the corner of Loomis and Robert streets, at 7:30 p.m. They will then walk from the corner of Ludington Avenue and Robert Street east to James Street, where the service will take place.

Ray Hasil, director of Mason-Oceana 911 and a member of the Pentwater Fire Department, will be the keynote speaker. Taylor Makowicki will sing.