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Sussex Fire Dept. honors longstganding volunteers

| 20 May 2014 | 02:10
    Chief Rick Vander Ploeg and Mike Clark Master of Ceremonies look on as Robert Regavich gives a short speech after receiving gold watch for 30 years with the fire department.
    Chief Rick Vander Ploeg and Mike Clark Master of Ceremonies look on as Robert Regavich gives a short speech after receiving gold watch for 30 years with the fire department.
    Robert Regavich and Floyd Southard are welcomed into the Old Timers for 30 years of dedicated service in the Sussex Fire Department
    Robert Regavich and Floyd Southard are welcomed into the Old Timers for 30 years of dedicated service in the Sussex Fire Department
    George Owen since 1971, Walt Storms to many years to count and Tom Stuart 48 years with the fire department
    George Owen since 1971, Walt Storms to many years to count and Tom Stuart 48 years with the fire department
    Mike Conklin 54 years, Bruce Frech 54 years and Ray Crawn since 1956 withthe fire department
    Mike Conklin 54 years, Bruce Frech 54 years and Ray Crawn since 1956 withthe fire department

SUSSEX BOROUGH — Sussex firehouse held their annual Old Timers Evening to honor some of their long standing volunteer members.

Floyd Southard and Robert Regavich were being honored for 30 years of dedicated service to the department. Alan Van Gelder for 60 years of service and Bruce Frech for 54 years were presented with the Award of Service and Lifetime Membership. Frech stated that when he started with the fire department that air horns were used as the fire sirens.

Some members have two and three generations of volunteer firemen and women.

The Sussex Fire Department is very family oriented. They purchased a trailer to use as a float in the parades. This was to enable all family members to attend the parades and not have to stay home with other siblings during events. While the cake was being served, firefighters took turns retelling their stories both old and new of their firefighting memories.

Some stories were sad telling of lost partners and injuries others were happy stories of the accomplishments. The Sussex Fire Department is very proud of its nearly 100 members and that sixty five are in the line of march.

— Photos by Gale Miko
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