Decades of service honored at firemen's dinner

MILLERTON — The Pond Restaurant in Ancramdale was packed last Saturday, April 18, as local residents and fire department supporters showed up for the Millerton Fire Department’s annual dinner and awards ceremony.

Festivities started at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour, followed by dinner and awards.

Bill Lutz, Donna Flinn, Jason Watson and Joffre Andread were awarded pins and certificates for five years of service. Paul Germond was honored for 15 years. Al Andrews was recognized for 20 years, with Jim Schultz celebrating 25 years of service and Howard Brusie Jr. reaching 30.

As is tradition, members were also honored for responding to the most EMS and fire calls. Mark McAvoy racked up 97 EMS responses during the last year, with Marcia Hamm finishing in second with 76 calls and Nancy Ellis in third with 72.

Dave VanDeBogart responded to 132 fire calls. Chris Segelken was in second with 114 and Keith Roger rounded off the top three with 98.

Joe Cawley was honored with the President’s Award, which department President Lenny Morrison explained is for “something they do behind closed doors to benefit the department.†He said Cawley was instrumental in helping set up the Millerton Fire Company’s Web site, millertonfire.com.

The Chief’s Appreciation Award went to Bob Sartori.

“He did a lot for me, and helped me through rough times,†Fire Chief Jason Watson said while presenting the award.

Firefighter of the Year went to Morrison, who was honored by the Exchange Club of Southern Dutchess at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel on April 2 for his work.

“I don’t know how to say thank you,†Morrison said. “I’ve got a great bunch of people behind me. It was quite an honor.â€

Humourus awards were given to Jeff Jordan, who received a pair of suspenders after his pants accidently fell down during a parade, and Joe Garzetta, who received a replica basketball hoop and firetruck after backing a real firetruck into a real basketball hoop.

“I’ll remember this as long as it takes to get to my car,†Garzetta joked.

The last two awards were unusual, in that two men were honored for long periods of service on the same year. Howard “Windy†Milton received recognition for 50 years of service, and Bernie Silvernail was honored for 60 years.

Plaques were awarded to Milton and Silvernail by the New York Association of Exempt Firemen, who added that this was the first time that Exempts had ever honored 60 years of service.

Milton said he had just found out about the award half an hour before the reception. Family members hid outside, waiting for the ceremony.

“Thank you to everyone who came, and all the guys at the Millerton fire department,†he said.

“Sixty years,†Silvernail commented. “That’s a long time. But we’ve had a lot of fun, right?†he asked Morrison.

“It’s been quite an honor to work with you,†Morrison replied. Humorous anecdotes were related from members of the department about both honorees. Silvernail and Milton were additionally awarded with firemen’s ax plaques for their service.

The evening concluded with dessert and the awarding of 50/50 raffle prizes donated by local businesses, as well as dancing to music provided by DJ Brock Race.