Maydole Hose Company celebrates 126 years of service
NORWICH – Volunteer firefighters of the Maydole Hose Company - the oldest fire company in the City of Norwich - responded to a rare non-emergency call at the North East Classic Car Museum on Rexford Street Saturday to commemorate another great milestone: the company’s 126th anniversary.
Not only was Saturday’s gala a chance for members of the Maydole Hose Company to pay homage to its current volunteers, but it was also a chance memorialize the hundreds who served before them. Of the 52 active and inactive members currently associated with the Maydole Hose Company, more than 40 were in attendance for the awards banquet, which featured photographs of the fires stifled by members past and present; artifacts collected from past and present members over the years; and a solemn reminder of the agency’s heritage that has helped foster more than 500 volunteer firefighters since its inception 126 years ago.
This year, inactive members were presented golden trumpets for their years of service. The trumpet, once used as a mouthpiece by the fire department foreman to keep order of his firefighters, remains a modern-day symbol that signifies one’s rank as an officer within the fire department.
“This year, we also found a trumpet dating back 100 years,” said Maydole Hose Company President Mike Ford, who has actively served with the company since 1969. “This is such an exciting year for us. We have quite a history to celebrate.”
Other Maydole officers include Vice-President Robert Handy, Secretary and Treasurer A. Jones, Captain Chris Coombs, and Lieutenant Dee Osterhout.
“This was our opportunity to thank them all for everything they've done for the last year,” added Norwich Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo, noting the vital role filled by volunteers with the Norwich Fire Department. “We couldn’t do what we do without those volunteers.”
The Maydole Hose Company was originally formed March 21, 1887 by employees of the David Maydole Hammer Company, from which the Maydole Hose Company took its name. The original crew consisted of 30 men and has maintained a strong community influence ever since.
Today, the 15 active members of the Maydole Hose Company serve a much greater purpose in addition to fighting fires, said Ford. The organization leads a memorial service of past firefighters every Memorial Day at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Norwich, preceeded by grave decorating of past members.
“We have restarted the Kids Easter Egg Hunt in the Park too, to give back to the community,” Ford added. This Saturday, the company is sponsoring the Annual Easter Egg Hunt for Kids, which takes place at 10 a.m. in East and West parks.
Not only was Saturday’s gala a chance for members of the Maydole Hose Company to pay homage to its current volunteers, but it was also a chance memorialize the hundreds who served before them. Of the 52 active and inactive members currently associated with the Maydole Hose Company, more than 40 were in attendance for the awards banquet, which featured photographs of the fires stifled by members past and present; artifacts collected from past and present members over the years; and a solemn reminder of the agency’s heritage that has helped foster more than 500 volunteer firefighters since its inception 126 years ago.
This year, inactive members were presented golden trumpets for their years of service. The trumpet, once used as a mouthpiece by the fire department foreman to keep order of his firefighters, remains a modern-day symbol that signifies one’s rank as an officer within the fire department.
“This year, we also found a trumpet dating back 100 years,” said Maydole Hose Company President Mike Ford, who has actively served with the company since 1969. “This is such an exciting year for us. We have quite a history to celebrate.”
Other Maydole officers include Vice-President Robert Handy, Secretary and Treasurer A. Jones, Captain Chris Coombs, and Lieutenant Dee Osterhout.
“This was our opportunity to thank them all for everything they've done for the last year,” added Norwich Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo, noting the vital role filled by volunteers with the Norwich Fire Department. “We couldn’t do what we do without those volunteers.”
The Maydole Hose Company was originally formed March 21, 1887 by employees of the David Maydole Hammer Company, from which the Maydole Hose Company took its name. The original crew consisted of 30 men and has maintained a strong community influence ever since.
Today, the 15 active members of the Maydole Hose Company serve a much greater purpose in addition to fighting fires, said Ford. The organization leads a memorial service of past firefighters every Memorial Day at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Norwich, preceeded by grave decorating of past members.
“We have restarted the Kids Easter Egg Hunt in the Park too, to give back to the community,” Ford added. This Saturday, the company is sponsoring the Annual Easter Egg Hunt for Kids, which takes place at 10 a.m. in East and West parks.
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