Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen's Association 72nd Annual Convention
 
By Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Karen Montgomery
May 4, 2019
 

Saturday, May 4, 2019 kicked off the start of a busy weekend for the fire and rescue departments in the Southern Maryland area. Members, family members and guests gathered at the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday afternoon for a beautiful memorial service honoring those members who had passed in 2018. The memorial service was followed by a dinner meeting where the newly elected officers of the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen's Association were voted in and awards were presented.

Mechanicsville's Fire Prevention Officer Theresa Palmer won several awards for fire prevention including the Roland B. Duke Award which is the highest award a department can receive. Others receiving awards were Wayne Copsey and Paul Colonna who received recognition for 50 years of service.

Sunday, May 5, 2019 members participated in the firemen's parade in Ridge. The Mechanicsville Volunteers took Car 2, Utility 2A, Engine 23, and Engine Tanker 224.

Many hours were spent preparing the apparatus to peak shape. Especially on Engine Tanker 224 as its 18 years old and the members cleaned it in extreme depth.

The volunteers were awarded for the following in the parade:
-Judges Award for the Ladies Auxiliary
-2nd Best Appearing 1250GPM Engine(Engine 23)
-Best Appearing Command Unit(Car 2)
 
PP/BOD Paul Colonna accepting 50 years of service certificate and pin.
PP/BOD Paul Colonna accepting 50 years of service certificate and pin.
Members recognized for 50 years.
Members recognized for 50 years.
 
President John Montgomery accepting 50 year certificate and pin on behalf of Wayne Copsey.
President John Montgomery accepting 50 year certificate and pin on behalf of Wayne Copsey.
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Theresa Palmer received an award for a special project.
Theresa Palmer received an award for a special project.
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Fire Prevention Officer Theresa Palmer won the W. David Gott award for Fire Prevention.
Fire Prevention Officer Theresa Palmer won the W. David Gott award for Fire Prevention.
Theresa Palmer received the Roland B. Duke award as the best overall department award.
Theresa Palmer received the Roland B. Duke award as the best overall department award.
 
1st place for best year book for fire prevention.
1st place for best year book for fire prevention.
The Pilkerton family being recognized for four generations.
The Pilkerton family being recognized for four generations.
 
Karen Colonna Gibson and the Gibson family.
Karen Colonna Gibson and the Gibson family.
Karen Colonna Gibson places the flower in the boot in remembrance of Wendy Gibson.
Karen Colonna Gibson places the flower in the boot in remembrance of Wendy Gibson.
 
Catherine Fowler places the flower in the boot in remembrance of her husband and former member Tucker Fowler.
Catherine Fowler places the flower in the boot in remembrance of her husband and former member Tucker Fowler.
Ricky Mattingly places the flower in the boot in remembrance of his father and former BOD member Hoof Mattingly.
Ricky Mattingly places the flower in the boot in remembrance of his father and former BOD member Hoof Mattingly.
 
PP/BOD Paul Colonna places the flower in the boot in remembrance of past member St. Clair Hill.
PP/BOD Paul Colonna places the flower in the boot in remembrance of past member St. Clair Hill.
BOD members Jimmy Burroughs and Bobby Johnson escort Catherine Fowler.
BOD members Jimmy Burroughs and Bobby Johnson escort Catherine Fowler.
 
The start of the Memorial Service
The start of the Memorial Service
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The Mechanicsville Volunteers lined up heading to Ridge to participate in the Annual Firemen’s Parade.
The Mechanicsville Volunteers lined up heading to Ridge to participate in the Annual Firemen’s Parade.