Keeping a town running smoothly requires more than just a mayor.

It depends on dozens of dedicated employees, many working long hours behind the scenes to keep the town going.

On Thursday, the Welsh Museum recognized more than 50 current and past town employees and their descendants who have served the town for more than 20 decades.

“We really owe a debt of gratitude to all of our dedicated employees in this town,” Pat Deshotel, pastor of First Baptist Church of Welsh said. “I know and I understand some of them work for a paycheck, but I can tell you this, none of them work for what they should be paid.They all should be paid a lot more than they are paid.”

As part of the 30th anniversary of the Friends of the Welsh Museum and the 135th anniversary of the signing of the town’s charter, the museum recognized current and former city employees, town superintendents, the police chiefs of which only two are still living and fire chiefs of which five are still living. Recognition was also given to current and past police officers and firemen.

“This is all about the people who have served the town of Welsh,” he said, calling the community leaders and servants unsung heroes. “We are so blessed in this town to have people who are servants and willing to serve.”

It is impossible to name everyone in the prestigious group who have served the town because records of town workers are incomplete, Deshotel said.

“For these people, it’s not about money, it’s about serving and I tell you this, not every town is like this,” Deshotel said. “We are truly blessed in this town. People don’t understand how great of a place Welsh is till they move here or live here.”

Special recognition was given to 86-year-old John LeBlanc for his dedicated service to the town. LeBlanc, who was unable to attend the ceremony, is the oldest active member of the Welsh Fire Department with over 50 years of service.

“We owe so much to all of these employees – the town hall and town crews who keep the town going and our firemen and police officers who have protected the town,” Museum President and former mayor Mary Sue Lyon said.

“We have been trying to recognize everybody who has made this community what it is and it is encouraging to see so many enthusiastic about coming here,” added Karen Trahan, secretary-treasure of the Friends of the Welsh Museum board of directors. “These people represent the spirit of this town.”

Trahan said the museum will continue to honor other pillars in the community over the next two years, including farmers, ministers and educators. The museum honored past and present mayors, aldermen, town clerk and town attorneys and museum members earlier this year.