Just wanted to say a big thank you to the North Rose Fire Department for the flag on my Dad’s grave. He would have been pretty proud.
I don’t remember him ever going to a fire, but he was in charge of the “fire phone” for many many years. Back in the 1950s, the phone was installed at the bottom on the stairs leading to our apartment above the Knotty Pine Restaurant (the white cinderblock building on Main Street). Since Mom and Dad owned the restaurant and were open seven days a week, they made the best choice to receive any fire calls. The siren was located in the “park” where the diner is now. It was right behind the big memorial billboard that had all the soldiers’ names on it. I only remember the one-bay firehouse that was located behind the Presbyterian Church (current Town office) but there might have been a new station where yours is located now, since that was always the “Firemen’s Field” to me growing up.
It was Dad’s responsibility to answer the “fire phone” when it rang, get the information as to where the fire was, and most importantly push the siren button. The siren wasn’t turned off until someone from the fire hall called for the fire location, and then we could stop all that very loud noise. As a kid I wasn’t allowed to do any of this, needless to say. But as I got older and Mom and Dad started taking Monday afternoons off, I did have to answer the phone and push the button once or twice. I was pretty scared but managed to do it.
For the rest of my Dad’s life, every time the phone would ring he’d holler “fire phone,” and it’s a family joke; even his grandkids and great-grandkids say it once in a while today. So even though he probably didn’t make it to a fire, he had a pretty important job in the department, and the flag would mean a lot to him.
The cemetery looks great with all those red flags, not to mention all the other flags and decorations. But the red flags just show how much our little town of North Rose cares for its people. So many, many thanks to the North Rose Fire Department (and the other fire departments who have done this) for taking the time to recognize all those past heroes.
MARY JANE MATTESON MUMBY
Sodus
Just wanted to say a big thank you to the North Rose Fire Department for the flag on my Dad’s grave. He would have been pretty proud.
I don’t remember him ever going to a fire, but he was in charge of the “fire phone” for many many years. Back in the 1950s, the phone was installed at the bottom on the stairs leading to our apartment above the Knotty Pine Restaurant (the white cinderblock building on Main Street). Since Mom and Dad owned the restaurant and were open seven days a week, they made the best choice to receive any fire calls. The siren was located in the “park” where the diner is now. It was right behind the big memorial billboard that had all the soldiers’ names on it. I only remember the one-bay firehouse that was located behind the Presbyterian Church (current Town office) but there might have been a new station where yours is located now, since that was always the “Firemen’s Field” to me growing up.
It was Dad’s responsibility to answer the “fire phone” when it rang, get the information as to where the fire was, and most importantly push the siren button. The siren wasn’t turned off until someone from the fire hall called for the fire location, and then we could stop all that very loud noise. As a kid I wasn’t allowed to do any of this, needless to say. But as I got older and Mom and Dad started taking Monday afternoons off, I did have to answer the phone and push the button once or twice. I was pretty scared but managed to do it.
For the rest of my Dad’s life, every time the phone would ring he’d holler “fire phone,” and it’s a family joke; even his grandkids and great-grandkids say it once in a while today. So even though he probably didn’t make it to a fire, he had a pretty important job in the department, and the flag would mean a lot to him.
The cemetery looks great with all those red flags, not to mention all the other flags and decorations. But the red flags just show how much our little town of North Rose cares for its people. So many, many thanks to the North Rose Fire Department (and the other fire departments who have done this) for taking the time to recognize all those past heroes.
MARY JANE MATTESON MUMBY
Sodus
