| The 62nd Annual Convention of the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen's
Association was held on May 2 and 3, 2009 and was hosted by the Hughesville
Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad.
The weekend's events began on Saturday at the Hughesville Fire House with the
Memorial Service that honored those SMVFA and LA~SMVFA Members who lost their
lives during 2008. Families of the deceased were invited to take part in the
ceremony. Our Past President, Past Chief, and Life Member Sam Vallandingham was
recognized during the services. Special recognition was also given to the Line
of Duty Deaths that occurred in 2008: Tanya Mallard, Waldorf VFD; Maryland
State Police Pilot Stephen H Bunker, and Trooper 1st Class Mickey C. Lippy.
The Memorial Service was followed by a reception for the attendees with
refreshments provided by the Hughesville Ladies Auxiliary.
From their the membership moved to the Mechanicsville Fire House for the
Convention. At the Convention Meeting, the following individuals were elected
and installed as the Officer's for the 2009 - 2010 year.
President Jimmy Rose Hughesville VFD&RS
1st Vice President Willie Wilkerson Mechanicsville VFD
2nd Vice President Billy Jones Solomons VRS&FD
Secretary Shirley Copado Leonardtown VRS
Treasurer Johnny Wathen Ridge VFD
Chaplain Deacon George L'Heureux Second District VFD&RS
Fire Prevention Awards won by our company included the Class A Fire Prevention
Book and George Franklin was recognized as an up and coming Fire Prevention
Leader and Educator.
Hall of Fame Inductees for this year included our very own President John E.
"Peanut" Gatton along with St. Mary's County Commissioner Dan Raley.
Many members spent the past week cleaning the apparatus and making it shine. On
Sunday, all this hard work paid off. The Department took the following pieces
of equipment to display in the parade that was held on Sunday in downtown
Hughesville: Engine 44, Engine 41, Brush 4, Command 4, Jeep 4, Utility 4A, MSU
4, Boat 4, the Fire Prevention Trailer along with approximately 30 men and women
from the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department and Auxiliary attended. Many of the
attendees were wet and stayed wet most of the day. The parade was to
be held rain or shine, and rain fell all day. However, rain turned out to be a
good luck charm for Ridge and we were able to collect 7 trophies in all by the
end of the day. Those trophies consisted of
Company Coming the Longest Distance
2nd Best Appearing Fire Prevention Float
2nd Best Appearing Brush Unit
Best Appearing Boat
Best Appearing Fire Truck, Over 25 years old & in service
Best Appearing Pumper/Tanker
And the best of them all
~ Best Appearing Company Overall ~
A special THANK YOU to all those who helped in cleaning up the equipment and
everyone who suffered through the rain to attend. You did Ridge proud! |
