HFRA Autumn 2019 Meeting
Thursday, October 10th
A by-law change proposed at the July meeting was adopted. The annual number of meetings was changed from four to three, effectively eliminating the summer meeting. Meetings will now be held four months apart, during the second weeks of February, June, and October.
The main highlight of the meeting was the presentation of HFRA Memorial Plaques to the families of four of our brothers who passed since the last presentation at the 2017 autumn meeting.
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| Firefighter Ernest Braun (1936-2018), served on the department from 1970 until his retirement in 1993. |
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The memorial plaque honoring the memory of Firefighter Ernest Braun, whose brother and niece live in Florida, was presented on their behalf by Tom Doherty to Ralph Tortora, Mark Pratt, and Carl Backus, all of whom worked with Ernie on Platoon 3. Tom was Ernie's company officer at Headquarters, and later his shift commander.
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| Firefighter Milner Benham (1928-2018) served on the department from 1956 until his retirement in 1981. |
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Representing her husband Gil, who was unable to attend, Helen Spencer presented the plaque honoring the memory of Firefighter Milner Benham to his son, Burton, who was accompanied by Milner's niece, Nancy Bergvik.
Milner and Gil worked together on old Platoon 2 at Headquarters for many years before the 42-hour workweek was adopted in 1970.
Milner Benham was Gil’s best man when he and Helen were married in July 1961.
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| Milner and Gil on the Big Day |
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| Lieutenant Douglas Yocher (1938-2018) served on the department from 1969 until his retirement in 2000. |
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President Bob Mordecai (left) presented the plaque honoring the memory of Lieut. Doug Yocher to his wife, Maryann, who was accompanied by their son Chris, daughter Carol Yale, and her children Hunter and Hannah.
Bob then called up Trustee Bob Viglione (second from left) to present Maryann with her certificate of Honorary Membership in the HFRA. Bob Mordecai and Bob Viglione both worked with Doug as fellow company officers on Platoon 2 for many years.
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| Captain Robert Chadwick (1944-2019) served on the department from 1969 until his retirement in 1992. |
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Tom Doherty presented the plaque honoring the memory of Capt. Bob Chadwick to his wife, Margaret (ight), who was accompanied by her sister, Katie Underwood (left). Tom was shift commander of Platoon 3 when Bob served with him as a company officer at Station 3 in the mid-1980s. The Secretary then presented Margaret Chadwick with her certificate of Honorary Membership in the HFRA.
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| Clockwise from left: Tom & Nancy Bervik, Burton Benham, Joe & Audrey Langella, and Helen Spencer - CLICK to enlarge |
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| L to R: Maryann Yocher, Carol Yale, Hunter Yale, Hannah Yale, Chris Yocher, Scott Yale (seated) - CLICK to enlarge |
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| Margaret Chadwick and Katie Underwood - CLICK to enlarge |
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| Harold Mangler, Jim Leddy, and Mark Pratt - CLICK to enlarge |
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| Sam & Dave - "I'm a soul man!" (Nope, not the same duo. These guys are DeBurra and Berardesca.) - CLICK to enlarge |
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| Billy Fitz and Vic M - CLICK to enlarge |
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| Carl & T.D. - CLICK to enlarge |
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| Clockwise from bottom: Carl, Mike, Ralph, and Jack - CLICK to enlarge |
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| The "Aug," and Froggy - CLICK to enlarge |
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| Time to hit the road. See you in February! - CLICK to enlarge |
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