Though born with a birth defect that left him with underdeveloped arms, 26-year Onset firefighter Dougie Marsh never let it slow him down.

"He's an awesome guy," said Onset Fire Captain Raymond Goodwin. "Talk about someone who puts 120% into something."

The Box 5 Association, a nonprofit which has aided the Onset Fire District and Onset community since the 1950s, honored the veteran firefighter with an appreciation dinner on August 26. It was attended by more than 50 colleagues, family members, and friends.

Marsh previously served as president of the Box 5 Association. During the dinner, Onset firefighter and current Box 5 president John Gordon presented Marsh with a commemorative gavel.

Though health issues currently make communication difficult, Marsh's physical handicap never stopped him, his fellow firefighters said. He still serves as a call firefighter in the department.

"We try to give him as best a challenge as we can," Gordon said.

Firefighter Earl Fowler could sum Marsh's personality up in one word: "Determination."

"He never let things bother him. No matter what he did, he'd always overcome it," Fowler said. "Too bad some of the younger people don't know him."

Firefighter Mike Sanborn described Marsh as "just a funny guy."

"He's one of us," Sanborn continued. "Dedication, that's the big thing [with Marsh.]"

The firefighters say they're grateful for all of Marsh's contributions to the department and to Box 5.

"He has no idea what he's done," said Fowler. "He taught a lot of people how to open their hearts."