Senate Resolution No. 1680

BY: Senator OBERACKER

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the
Kerhonkson Volunteer Fire Company

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the
Anniversary of the Kerhonkson Volunteer Fire Company and to honor its
past and present firefighting members for 100 years of fire protection
to the citizens of Kerhonkson, New York, and its surrounding communities
on Thursday, December 26, 2024; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will be celebrated at a
companywide event on Saturday, January 27, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Fire companies are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; during the past 100 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Kerhonkson Volunteer Fire
Company have valiantly responded to all types of fire emergencies and
have won the praise and respect of the community which they serve; and

WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters serve without pay, devote hundreds
of hours of time away from family, and in many cases spend their own
money on firefighting gear and bear the responsibility for recruitment
and retention to maintain organizational stability; and

WHEREAS, On the night of December 26, 1924, the Kerhonkson Fire
Company was organized at a meeting of 31 men, chaired by Jason O.
Decker, at the Arcadia Garage; an election produced the following
results: James Doyle, Foreman (now called Chief); Charles Black,
Assistant Foreman; Howard Humiston, Foreman of Hose; Selah Terwilliger
and Percy Greene, Hydrantmen; and HR Decker and Richard Hayden,
Nozzlemen; it was also decided that meetings were to be held at 8:00 on
the first Monday evening of each month, a tradition still practiced; and

WHEREAS, The current Fire Chief is Steve Stephens, and the current
President of the Company is Christopher D. DePew, a third-generation
Kerhonkson Fireman in his 40th year of service, Past Chief, and Life
Member; Kerhonkson is a small, multi-generational hamlet where its
constituents are proud members of their community; and

WHEREAS, In the Kerhonkson Volunteer Fire Company's 100 years of
service, there have been only 19 Fire Chiefs, proving the commitment of
these devoted members; the Kerhonkson Volunteer Fire Company now
includes 84 men and women who selflessly and tirelessly ensure the
safety of their neighbors; and

WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Kerhonkson Volunteer Fire Company in public service and fire
protection is one to be applauded; for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,
for 100 years, whenever the alarm sounded, these noble volunteers left
their homes and went to the aid of their neighbors; and

WHEREAS, The brave firefighters of the Kerhonkson Volunteer Fire
Company are prepared to risk their lives every day to help save the

lives of others and to protect homes and property from the destruction
caused by fire; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the skill and devoted service demonstrated
by individual firefighters, the Kerhonkson Volunteer Fire Company
reflects the history and development of firefighting over the past 100
years; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body cannot express sufficient gratitude
to those devoted individuals who recognize that the preservation of life
and property is a sacred responsibility and who make that responsibility
their own by serving as firefighters; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that we should
give special recognition to those who work so assiduously for the
betterment of their communities and publicly acknowledge the heroic good
works performed by the volunteer fire departments of this great Empire
State, their officers, and auxiliaries; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
proudly commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Kerhonkson Volunteer
Fire Company on December 26, 2024; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the members of the Kerhonkson Volunteer Fire Company.