On Saturday evening we were guests at the Hopewell Volunteer Fire Department’s annual banquet because that generous man I live with had done a no-charge engineering job for them.
I’ll be honest and say that my primary interest in attending was that there would be dancing after dinner. I love to dance and don’t ever seem to get enough. Sitting through dinner and an awards ceremony with people I don’t know – well that just seemed like something I’d have to tolerate until it was time for dancing.
But that’s where I was surprised. Let me set the scene.
About 100 people with an age range that spanned (I’m guessing here) from early 20’s to mid-90’s had gathered to celebrate this Volunteer Fire Department’s 50th year. These were ordinary folk, men and women who looked like they worked hard at their chosen professions. Some were dressed up for a special occasion. Others seemed to have come as they were. Conversation flowed in the room as neighbors greeted neighbors. The expression ‘salt of the earth’ came to mind.
As we were served our salad, the current Fire Chief showed a slide show and video that traced the history of service to this rural community. We saw photos of early founders, terrible car crashes, chicken barbeques, burnt out buildings, children perched atop fire trucks acquired from neighboring towns, names in reflective tape on the backs of firefighting uniforms. The people at our table provided commentary, identifying family members, neighbors, friends of their parents, even themselves in earlier days. “That was the time…” they’d say, reliving occasions when they’d faced danger, worked, and played together.
The pride was palpable, and clearly well-deserved. I found myself surprisingly moved. The Department’s chosen leaders, President and Chief, distributed awards honoring the top ten responders, friends who had supported the group’s efforts – WalMart, the town of Hopewell, the man who provided the meat for the spaghetti supper and whose refrigerated truck was pressed into service at various fund-raising functions.
Only one of the charter members was present. As he accepted several awards for his long service, the crowd joined in spontaneous standing ovations. He spoke briefly about his pride in the department of today. “Considering that we started with absolutely nothing, we’ve come a long, long way.” He spoke of citizens who donated land for their two fire stations, of how everyone pitched in to dig foundations, erect buildings, and shingle roofs, and hold all those fund-raisers needed to buy exciting things like fire trucks and mundane things like paper napkins.
The Women’s Auxiliary delivered a check from those fund-raisers to erect a new sign and flag pole and then proceeded to honor the fire department’s founding mothers who began their organization forty years ago this year. As their names were called out, eight women came forward. One reached for another’s hand and soon the whole line was joined together, leaning on each other in this moment of recognition as I imagined they must have done throughout their long years of friendship.
It was an evening I was proud to witness, especially as I realized this was only a sample of the good men and women who serve. Hopewell is just one of sixteen towns in our county. New York has fifty-six counties – many of which are also served, town by town, by similar volunteer fire departments. Good men and women serve in this manner all across our country, and I hope that every one of them will enjoy a good meal, excellent company, and a chance to feel proud of their efforts. And of course, to dance.
From here on, I’ll be thinking of all those good folks any time I pass a firehouse or see the tell-tale flashing blue lights atop a volunteer’s vehicle. I’ll feel proud of them – for the important work they do as well as for the community they create. I’ll feel grateful. And I’ll feel somehow hopeful for all our futures just knowing that people like volunteer fire fighters and their friends, family, and neighbors are willing to give so much of themselves.
May you experience something that fills you with pride, gratitude, and hope in the coming week!
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