The Catskill Chronicle

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

[WURTSBORO] – It started with an American flag and ended with our nation’s
colorful symbol of freedom.

Before the 81st Annual Sullivan County Volunteer Firefighters Association (SCVFA) Firemen’s Parade stepped off down Wurtsboro’s main drag on Saturday, August 29, firefighter’s from Monticello and Ellenville climbed into the sky, as they rigged Monticello’s huge 20-foot by 30-foot American Flag from the towers of their aerial apparatus. And when it was all over, volunteers gathered to fold the cherished flag, a stately symbol that for hundreds of years has honored firefighters who have died in the line of duty, and flies proudly over fire stations across the country.

The 81st Annual SCVFA Firemen’s Parade was hosted by the Wurtsboro Volunteer Fire Department, which in 2009 marked its 111th year of dedicated service to the local community.

Two short years after the bloody War Between the States drew to a close, on May 1, 1866, the folks in the newly incorporated village decided their community should establish three fire districts, each represented by two fire wardens. After Patrick McGinnis perished in a house fire, local firefighter’s gave up bucket brigades, and by 1898, the18-member strong Wurtsboro Hose Co. No. 1 came on line, followed in short order by Wurtsboro Hook & Ladder Co. No.1 consisting of 13 chapter members.

In 1930, the companies were in essence combined, and since then the area has been served valiantly through the decades by Wurtsboro Fire Co. No. 1, which during the county’s Bicentennial Year was honored by being named a Bicentennial Sealed Event.

The annual SCVFA parade stepped off a bit late this year, people lining Sullivan Street passed the time doing the limbo and line dancing on the yellow center line of the road.

Followed by the escort division led by American Legion Post 1266/Mamakating VFW Color Guard, five divisions marched down Sullivan Street:  Division 1 led by the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office Color Guard and first division marshal Past Chief James Dunn; Division 2 with Past Chief Richard Dunn; Division 3 led by Past Chief John Klein; Division 4 with the Sullivan County American Legion Color Guard; and Division 5 featuring colorful Sullivan County historical exhibits and floats.

“It brings the fire service together to show the community what we’re all about, not just seeing us answer alarms,” said Bill Lothrop, First Vice President of the SCVFA, Sullivan County Deputy Fire Coordinator and Past Chief. “The parade shows the other side of what we do, and all our apparatus.”

The 82nd Annual SCVFA Parade will be hosted by the Bloomingburg VFD, and in 2011, the annual parade returns to Rock Hill.

To view 101 photos from Of Flags and Fireman or to purchase prints visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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