| On the evening of 1/16, members were mulling around the firehouse preparing for our monthly drill. At approximately 1900 hours, Chief Raley reported to all members in attendance that a close friend of the department, Charles "Jenks" Mattingly, of the Hollywood VFD, had passed away after a long and hard battle with cancer.
Jenks had many ties to our department. He was a friend, a familiar face and someone with an unsurpassed amount of knowledge and experience. From attending our department functions such as being Master of Ceremonies at many of our installations, to attending our "unofficial" functions such as the "Crailer" during Fireman's Week in Ocean City, Jenks was always there with a smile and warm greeting.
On 1/19, approximately fifteen members made the trip to HVFD to pay their respects to Jenks during his viewing. The hall was packed, with standing room only left. This was a great testament to what kind of legacy Jenks left on the county, and the state of Maryland. Jenks held the position of President in both the Southern Maryland Volunteer Fireman's Association and the Maryland State Fireman's Association.
On 1/20 at approximately 0830, Engines 43 & 44, Command 4 and Utility 4A departed quarters and started again to Hollywood to honor Jenks one final time. After arriving, the crews were told to shut down the Mervell Dean Rd turn around. Both engines and the command unit handled that and awaited the funeral procession. As the funeral procession began to pass, members stood at attention as Engine #7 rode past. The amount of people Jenks touched was shown in the precession and again at the church. The overflow crowd filled up the auxiliary center. Shortly thereafter, Engine #7 carried Jenks to his final resting place, at which time the last alarm was sounded. Trooper 7 then did a flyover, followed by a flyby.
The officers and members of the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department wish to send our condolences to the family of Jenks. He was a great friend to all of us here, and his presence will be sorely missed.
Photo's courtesy of Ryan DeGruy |
