Mr. Jimmy Rose President Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen's Association
Dear Mr. Rose:
Thank you for your service to your country. Your commitment to the local community speaks volumes to your leadership abilities.
By way of introduction, please know that I am a senior Veterans of Foreign Wars officer at the tri-county level. In addition, I have chaired several organizations in Southern Maryland. For example, I am the Immediate Past Chair, Charles County Public School's Ethics Panel and serve as a Past Public Relations Chair, Dentsville EMS & Auxiliary.
I wish to introduce you to two of the Veterans of Foreign Wars' citations: VFW National Firefighter and VFW National Emergency Medical Technician Citation.
VFW NATIONAL FIREFIGHTER
Any individual who actively fights fires as a member of any public or volunteer company organized to fight fires and give assistance to our nation's citizens.
Any individual, who actively gives emergency medical treatment, provides rescue service or civil disaster assistance as a member of any public or volunteer company organized to give emergency medical care, provide rescue and civil disaster assistance to out nation's citizens.
I hope that you agree with me that these programs go a long way to show the VFW's interest in promoting our first responders. Having said that, please feel free to disseminate the aforementioned programs as you deem appropriate.
Moreover, I will need a panel of judges to review applications. I would gladly accept a list of willing and able seasoned first responders who are interested in serving on a panel.
Should you have any questions, I can be reached at hollandnmd@aol.com or 301.848.3476.
Semper Fidelis,
Edward Holland III District Chairman, Aforesaid Committees
Enclosures
Signed on March 27, 2010 at 1:51 PM
Guest Name:
Dianne
Rank/Title:
n/a
Location:
brooklyn, ny
Comments:
Stumbled on your website while looking in to my grandmother's home town of Bel Alton MD and see that there are a lot of Hayden's in your company. Could it be that they are related to her (and me?). Her name was Edna Helen Hayden before she married my grandfather (William Kamper) and moved to NYC. I believe she had a sister Genevieve and quite a few other brothers and sisters. Her father owned a general store and was post master. If anyone is related to us, drop me a line at the email above, thanks.
Signed on March 04, 2010 at 12:10 AM
Guest Name:
Robert F. Beall
Rank/Title:
Detective Sergeant, Burke County Sheriff's Office
Location:
Morganton, North Carolina
Comments:
It was sad to hear of the passing of Joe Gragan. He was an excellent Chief while I was stationed there in the Late 80's/ Early 90's. My memories of those days are some of the greatest memories of my life.
Joe was a great mentor and friend. The town of Bel Alton has truely lost one of its pillars.
Robert F. Beall Detective Sergeant, Major Crimes Division Burke County Sheriff's Office Morganton, North Carolina
Signed on February 18, 2010 at 9:29 PM
Guest Name:
Tom Simpson
Location:
Jacksonville FL.
Comments:
I'm saddened by the news of Joe Gragan's passing. I'm proud to say that I served with Joe and counted him as a good friend. My condolences to his family as well as his BAVFD brothers. It's a big loss for everyone.
Sincerely, Tom
Signed on February 16, 2010 at 10:24 AM
Guest Name:
Dale Hupp
Rank/Title:
Life Member Co. 51
Comments:
I know losing Joe Gragan is a huge loss to your organization. I've known Joe for many years, and always liked being in his presence whether on a rescue call, social event, or his family business. Please extend my sympathy to Joe's family and the BAVFD family.
Respectully, Dale Hupp
Signed on February 15, 2010 at 8:39 AM
Guest Name:
Buffy Lytton
Rank/Title:
Life Member - Co. 51
Location:
Waldorf, MD
Comments:
My condolences to your station for the loss of Joe Gragan. Joe was a gentle giant who just made me smile. I had the honor of running many many calls with Joe and working with him on other EMS/Fire related projects. When I think back on my EMS career, there are so many people who hold a special place in my heart and Joe Gragan will always be one of those people. RIP my dear sweet friend.
Signed on February 07, 2010 at 11:04 PM
Guest Name:
Tom Simpson
Location:
Jacksonville Fla.
Comments:
Former BAVFD member. Nice job with the website. I do miss being a member. Say hello to the old-timers for me!
Signed on August 04, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Guest Name:
Kevin Banagan
Location:
SDVFD
Comments:
The 7th District Volunteer Fire Department will be holding a Police/Fire/Rescue softball touranment on Sept. 26 and 27 in St Marys County. For more information or if would like to sign your department up to play, please contact me at banagank@hotmail.com or 240-577-2677.
The cost is $250.00 per team.
Thanks, Kevin Banagan
Signed on June 29, 2009 at 8:54 PM
Guest Name:
Curtis Cecil
Comments:
My family and I just moved into town down the road. My kids are loving being able to walk down and see the trucks when the doors are open. Look forward to meeting some of you soon and possibly talking about what it takes to be a volunteer.
Signed on April 27, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Guest Name:
Tony Kapela
Rank/Title:
2nd Asst. Chief
Location:
Madison, MD
Comments:
Hey guys just stopped in to say hi again and to tell you your new tanker looks great. I hope I can come ride again with you guys, I really enjoyed myself a couple of years ago. All of you guys are great and treated me like I was a member. STAY SAFE
Signed on April 24, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Guest Name:
George Pyle III
Location:
Northen St.Marys
Comments:
Just would like to tell you men and women of the BAVFD that your new tanker as well as all your appartus is some of the best I have seen yet.
Very Best To All Of You.
Signed on April 01, 2009 at 7:51 PM
Guest Name:
J.C.
Rank/Title:
Civilian/Just a Charles County Resident!
Comments:
Hi! This is cool you guys are online! I have had a few great experiences with the BAVFD, and for that I am thankful. I took country line dance lessons a long time ago there in the mid 90's, and in '04 I was involved in a car accident at the intersection of 301 and Chapel Point Rd/ BelAlton Newtown Rd and the squad truck was about three cars behind the guy who crossed over in front of my vehicle and others. I had to make an evasive manuever, but still couldn't avoid impact. I never did come by to thank everyone who was there that day, as witnesses to the wreck, and for the ambulance and fire truck services you provided. I need to ask another favor. I went to the Marbury dance in '08, and had a ball. I think I danced with a few fun folks from BAVFD! One fella asked me to dance almost as soon as my friends and I got there, and we danced pretty much the rest of the night. I asked him his name, and we talked a little bit, but the music was great, and loud, so we didn't talk much! He told me a little bit about himself, and that he worked for SMECO. I was introduced to several people that night that worked for SMECO! I assumed he ran there with BelAlton, as he was with your gang. He asked me for my number, and, well, I was a few sheets into the wind after a night of too much fun, and I gave a classic excuse for not giving out my number. The next day I was kicking myself for it. I called down there later in the week and asked if he was there. A female answered and said no, he wasn't there, but he is there every other day. I tried back again a few days later, and someone else answered and did not know who I was talking about. I went to the dance at Marbury again this year, hoping he would be there, but he wasn't. He told me in '08 that his name was "Boyd". If anyone knows who I am talking about, please contact me via email. I know this is silly, but we had a few things in common, I had a ball dancing the night away with him, and I would love to meet up with him again. Thank you for your time, j.
Signed on March 10, 2009 at 9:09 AM
Guest Name:
Michael J. Rasmussen
Rank/Title:
Firefighter/NREMT/CSU-3
Location:
DCFD
Comments:
Hi to all! New Tanker looks great, as well as the new web site. Hope everyone is doing well, and I understand congrats are in order for Charlie Hayden and Kim! Best wishes to you both!
Take care and keep up the good work!
Signed on February 13, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Guest Name:
George Pyle III
Location:
Northen St.Marys
Comments:
Website is pretty tight lately. Keep up the good work on it.
I am Lieutenant with the Johnson County Fire Protection District in Warrensburg, Missouri. I am also a former resident of Charles County. I went to school at La Plata High School with Tommy Albrittain. The last time I spoke to Tommy was in the late 199o's at Co. 10 in Bel Alton. Tommy was showing off a new apparatus. I was just curious if Tommy was still active with Co. 10.
I have been in the fire service for about twenty years and would like to pay a visit to the company the next time I come back to Charles County.
Our district is headquartered out of Warrensburg, Missouri, with a total of ten stations. I am assigned to station seven where we run one engine company and a tanker along with a brush truck.
Signed on November 30, 2008 at 9:24 PM
Guest Name:
Tony Kapela
Rank/Title:
Asst. Chief
Location:
Madison MD
Comments:
Hi guys how are things going. If you do not remember me I stayed there while I was taking my Wildland Firefighter course a couple of years ago. John was chief at the time. Your web page looks good. Thanks again for allowing me to stay there and also run calls with you guys it was great. Be safe out there.
Signed on October 15, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Guest Name:
Laura Adams
Location:
Mechanicsville, MD
Comments:
Hello. I was engaged to one of your lifetime members, Ed Barnes and we had 3 children together, Lucy, Natasha and Samantha. Ed passed away Sept 10, 2000 and the children are always proud that their father was a member of Bel Alton VFD. Samantha, the "baby" is now 16 and wants to get a tattoo of Ed's favorite character, Taz in a fire hat and hose with flames and his DOB on one side and smoldering embers on the other, with his DOD. I would like to know if someone there could send me a picture of the helmets you use with Bel Alton and 10 on the front because for the life of me I can't remember what color they were. You can email it to me at the above address with it. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Great looking site by the way.
Signed on September 24, 2008 at 7:37 PM
Guest Name:
John [Jack] Dayhoff
Rank/Title:
Fire Prevention Officer/Fire Fighter
Location:
University Park, Florida
Comments:
I was an active member of Bel Alton VFD from 1973 to 1981 after which I moved to Durham, North Carolina to take a position at Duke University. I served under Chief Tom Spaulding, Cpt. Robertson and ran many a fire call with Larry Graves.
I was proud to serve the Southern Charles County community as a member of your fine organization. While much time has passed since I ran my last fire call, I do remember the brotherhood that existed between all us active members.
I can see from your Web site that you have expanded to include EMS and rescue squad service. Keep up the excellant public service that you provide to all those who live in your first due area.
Signed on September 09, 2008 at 1:00 AM
Guest Name:
John [Jack] Dayhoff
Location:
University Park, Florida
Comments:
I was an active member of the Bel alton VFD from June 1973 to June 1982. I left Charles County and relocated to Durham, North Carolina to take a position at Duke University. I remember Chief Tommy Spaulding, Cpt. Billy Robertson and a close friend Larry Graves. I served in the positions of Fire Prevention Officer, Treasurer and the Secretary of the Charles Country Volunteer Firemen's Association.
I loved responding in E-101 - what a fine piece of equipment - and I spent many a run on Tanker - 106 since I had to respond from the far side of 301 down on Chapel Point Rd. Most times I was able to get there in time to catch 106. Hey, how about posting pictures of your officers. Sounds like you now support EMS as well as an engine company.
I sure much has changed there but I bet you don't have a finer group of dedicated, responsive volunteers as there was during the 1973 through 1981 period.
The best to all of you at Bel Alton VFD.
I am now retired and can be found living the Florida lifestyle in University Park, Florida.......next to Sarasota on the West coast.
Signed on June 12, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Guest Name:
C. Strybing
Rank/Title:
F/F
Location:
Richmond, Va.
Comments:
Lets see those rigs and where are some stories at people... Tornado... etc...
Welcome to the family. You have a great Web-Site. Firehouse Solutions really does a great job. Hope you will tell all your members to check our site out. erfdnc.org . Thanks and enjoy the ride.
