It's no secret that volunteer fire department numbers are down from where they were years ago. The average age of the active members is rising year after year and there are fewer young people getting involved. At one time the generational expectation was stronger than it appears today.
On Sunday, a small group area fire department personnel from Venango County took a few moments to remember their members lost over the last year thus shrinking the numbers even further.
On Sunday, a small group area fire department personnel from Venango County took a few moments to remember their members lost over the last year thus shrinking the numbers even further.
"We are a family we have each other’s back," said Sandy Lewis who organized the event. "We put our lives on line together. When we lose one of our own we grieve together."
Lewis spoke out to a very small crowd gathered in Franklin's Bandstand Park.
Lewis spoke out to a very small crowd gathered in Franklin's Bandstand Park.
The event was put on to remember the area firefighters who passed away over the last year in Venango County. Long time members of the volunteer community. "Each of these members left a hole in our community." Lewis said before their names were read out loud by State Senator Scott Hutchinson and candle lit in their honor.
Thomas Brenner of Chapmanville VFD, Lionel Wade III of Cherrytree VFD, Steve Rembold of Seneca VFD, Don Bellinger of Rouseville VFD, John Dick, Ronnie Weber and Eugene Sheffer of Rocky Grove VFD, Dick Kerr, Fire Police captain, Austin Marsh and Raymond Schwab of Pinegrove VFD and Marshall Sherman of Polk VFD.
RIP
RIP
The ceremony features some young people who read poems, played taps and sang.
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Franklin resident Betty Ghering spoke about her personal experience of having her life saved by dispatchers at 911 and first responders. Ghering's heart had stopped but the paramedics kept working on her and she survived to tell her story. "Please put out the word... support your local fire departments," she pleaded to the crowd.
Several officials and volunteers from outside of Venango County made the trip Sunday including a pair of gentlemen from the Pine Creek VFD in Jefferson County who simply just wanted to help support this observation and memorial. Lewis said this event, though not well attended locally, has gotten the interest of other counties who may plan similar memorials in their area.
This was the second year for the Venango County memorial.
This was the second year for the Venango County memorial.
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