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A float carries MVFD veteran members during the department’s 75th anniversary parade Aug. 27. (Marissa Matozzo photos)
By MARISSA MATOZZO
“It’s our 75th anniversary!” fireman Brian Proulx said with a smile as the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department assembled for their Aug. 27 parade. The parade began at Memorial Middle School with firemen from Middlebury, Watertown, Oxford, Southbury, and other Connecticut towns marching down Middlebury Road to the fire house on Tucker Hill Road.
“We’ve been planning this parade for a year,” said Fire Chief Anthony Bruno. Junior firefighter Dylan Kasidas said, “We celebrate with a parade every 25 years.”
Highlights of the parade included a float featuring the Middlebury Fire Department veteran members, a marching band from Watertown, a reviewing stand filled with elected officials and shiny red fire engines from Middlebury and beyond. The firemen marched to cheering crowds showing support for the department’s service to the town. “I was here for the 50th anniversary,” said Proulx, “so this is quite a milestone.”
The veteran members, dressed in red shirts, were honored and celebrated during and after the parade. “The committee bought a new ambulance and named it after me, ‘Larry’s Limo!’” laughed veteran member Larry Fortin.
Veteran firefighter Richard Atchison points to his 1969 fireman portrait. The photos of the 1969 members hang on the wall at the Tucker Hill Road firehouse.
Veteran member Richard Atchinson said,“I’ve been a firefighter since I was 21 years old. I have so many memories with my fellow members.” He smiled as he looked at his and the other firemen’s portraits on display on the firehouse wall.
After the parade, firemen from the participating towns gathered at the Tucker Hill firehouse to celebrate the anniversary with food and drink. A dunk tank for junior firefighters and a live band added to the festivities as the volunteer firefighters relaxed and enjoyed themselves.
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