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Bay District Annual Installation of Officers
By Public Information Officer Douglas Medley
November 13, 2010
On November 13, 2010 the members, their families and other guests gathered in our social hall for the annual installation of officers for the year 2010/2011. The hall was decorated by the members of the department and it looked great. The night started with the usual picture taking then after a welcome by the President Wayne Johnson everyone sat down for another delicious meal prepared by Rita "B" catering. After everyone got their fill of oysters, stuffed ham, fried chicken, crab balls, and prime rib it was time to get down to the business of the installation.
This year the program was dedicated to our past everything Keith Fairfax who after many, many years serving the department decided it was time to step down and let some of us younger people take on some of his jobs. But don't fret he is not going too far as he will become our chaplain and special advisor to the board of directors. You don't think we would let all that knowledge get away from us do you. Besides it never hurts to have a man of faith to be right there with us as we move on into the coming year.
I was quite surprised at all the Politian's who showed up as the elections were over but then when I thought about it they were there to pay their respects to Keith.
I knew when the guys with the radio mikes in their ears showed up early to case the place that someone important was going to be there and low and behold it was Steny Hoyer one of the head guys up the road who has know Keith for years and wanted to stop by on his way to another obligation and present Keith with a special award from the President or someone I don't remember who it was but it was one of many that he received during the night from just about every invited guest that was there.
Now they might have had proclamations and such but the members of the department had the good stuff. Keith was presented with a beautiful framed picture of himself and pictures of him over the past 52 years with the department. In addition to that we presented him with a beautiful and I mean beautiful clock (with batteries) that was kind of like a grand-father clock. I know from the look on his face that he was very moved. Before all the presentations everyone viewed a video prepared by our webmaster Jason Adams, who I might add traveled all the way from North Carolina to be with us, with great music and all the old pictures that we could round up with Keith in them. I must say it brought back a lot of memories to all of us who know and love the man.
Well now that part of the night was over and it was now time to get down to the business at hand of installing the new officers for the department for the coming year. As the master of ceremonies Sheriff Tim Cameron called up the different groups and they were sworn in by President Willie Wilkerson of the Southern Maryland Firemen's Association. The Associate Officers were sworn in by 1st Vice President Darby Byrd of the Southern Maryland Volunteer Fireman's Association Ladies Auxiliary.
Once this was done it was time for the awards part of the program and there were too many to list here but two of the most important are Firefighter of the Year and Rookie of the Year. These people are elected to these positions by their fellow firefighters and officers.
This year the Firefighter of the Year for Station 3 was Danny Burroughs and Rookie of the Year was Danny Martin. The Firefighter of the Year for Station 9 was Matthew Duncan and Rookie of the Year was Randy Clark.
Congratulations go out to all the recipients of awards during the night as they were all well deserved.
After the installation and awards part of the night everyone had a great time dancing the night away with just about every kind of music you could think of by D.J.'s Donnie and Donna Carter. They even have a great light show while everyone was doing the electric slide on the dance floor.
Executive Officers: L to R, President Wayne Johnson, 1st. Vice President Doug Medley, 2nd Vice President Pat Stanley, Treasuer Bruce Theden, Secretary Joe Cooper, Board Member Melvin Tennyson, Board Member Joe Zienda, Board Member Bob Braddock and Fire Chief Joe Gould.
Operational Officers: Front Row, Safety Wayne Johnson, Sgt. Sewell,Sgt.Hare,Sgt. Ammann,Sgt.Stanley,Sgt.Duncan,Health Joe Zienda,Safety Anthony Thomas, Standing, Associate President Melissa Gould, Fire Chief Joe Gould, Ass't Fire Chief Shawn Downs, Deputy Chief 3 Robert Wahrenbrock, Deputy Chief 9 Jim Foster, Captain 3 Richard Sullivan, Lieut. 3 Steve Stockwell, Lieut. 9 Steve Vallandingham, Sgt. Bussler, Sgt. Ticson, Sgt. Fairfax and Water Supply Officer Keith Fairfax. Not Pictured are Captain 9 Mark Warren and Safety Officer Marvin Jones
The Associates of our Department. Front Row: Jamie Olson, Stephanie Burgess, Crystal Jackson, Melissa Gould Mary Beth Arndt,Amanda Howell, Gail Kropp. Back Row: Chistopher Gibson, Keith Dove,Robin Dove, Camilla Mason, Matt Barry, Mallory Evans, Paul Tolson, Rose Carroll, Jamie McClane, Renata Bowes, Angelina Steckowski, Kelly Eno and James Williams.
Just some of the guys and gals.
A lovely couple Richard Starr and his soon to be wife Ashley Evans enjoying themselves.
Gerald Gardiner,director of Safety for St. Mary's County with our Secretary Joe Cooper. Gerald was instrumental in helping our department in getting reimbursed for our expenses during the blizzard of last year and for that we are in his debt.
Pete and Gail Kropp two of the hardest working members in the department.
Our fellow firefighters filling in for us so that we could enjoy a uninterupted evening with our wives and friends.
Our brothers from the fighting "4" Ridge.
Safety Officer Marvin Jones and his wife Eva along with Firefighters Danny Martin and Mike Brunner. I'm sorry I don't have the name of the beautiful lady with Danny.
Now this is a crew. Debbie Fairfax, Timmy Ridgell, Heavy Ridgell and Matt Ridgell. Some of my favorite people from the Ridge VFD. We got to get a new name for Heavy. LOL
Another table of our distinguished members and their dates/wives.
Another group of members, associates and guests. Everyone looked like they were having a good time.
Another fine looking bunch don't you think.
The man of the hour after the unveiling of the award from the membership to Keith for all he has done for the department over the years. Notice everyone was wearing yellow suspenders in honor of him as that's what he wears all the time.
I finally got some time to eat my dinner while my wife kept watch over it while I took pictures. It was good to...
Uncle Jimmy looks pretty good in those yellow suspenders for a Mechanicsville boy don't you think.
Firefighter RJ Surratt and the love of his life Camilla Mason enjoying a night out with all of us. A great looking couple.
Firefighter Dave Martoni and his wife to be.
Steny Hoyer talking with our Fire Chief.
Sgt. Ammann with his girlfriend Brittany.
Picture that was presented to Keith Fairfax from the Associates.
Firefighter of the Year from Station 3 Danny Burroughs.
Rookie of the Year from Station 3 Danny Martin.
Firefighter of the Year from Station 9 Matt Duncan.
