Dateline: July 6, 2006

Clarendon firefighters mark first 100 years

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Tears and laughter were the hallmarks of the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department’s centennial celebration Sunday afternoon as firefighters recalled humorous moments in years gone by and paid tribute to the sacrifices made during the 2006 wildfires.

“I’ll say one thing about this bunch,” Fire Chief Delbert Robertson said, “They have put in the time this year and have done a super job.”

Captain Patrick Robertson choked back tears as he described what the department, the Firebelles, and their comrades from Howardwick went through this spring.

“I don’t think anyone who wasn’t there during the wildfires can really understand what it was like,” he said. “It went on and on, and we were there doing our part. That’s what firefighters do. But these ladies could have been home.”

The I-40 Fire on March 12, 2006, was the worst, Capt. Robertson said. For that evening, tragedy struck when one of Howardwick’s trucks overturned and plunged into a valley of fire and smoke. With fire on three sides and no road out, fellow firemen pulled Howardwick’s Joey Garcia to safety as two Firebelles, who also happened to be LVNs, braved the heat and the danger to assist James McMorries and Jeff Cook.

“Within seconds these two ladies were there, and they stayed with the injured Howardwick firemen,” Capt. Robertson said. “Chandra Holman stayed by Jeff’s side and saw that he wasn’t moved improperly, and Rhonda Howell performed CPR on James McMorries and kept him alive while help came from 25 miles away.”

Garcia and Cook continue to recuperate from their injuries. McMorries succumbed to his injuries on April 9.

For their service and bravery, the Clarendon VFD bestowed the National Medal of Honor for Courage on Holman and Howell. It is the highest honor that can be given to someone who is not a member of the fire department.

Cook pinned the medal on Holman, and McMorries’ widow, Tanis, pinned Howell and said she owed the lady a debt of gratitude for letting her have a little more time with her husband.

The remainder of the celebration was marked by reminiscing and tributes to the Clarendon department.

Chief Robertson said eight men had led the fire department since its organization by the city in 1906. W.C. Stewart was first and was followed by James Trent, who served until 1946. Carl Bennett served until 1957 and was followed by B.L. “Mutt” Graham until 1963. Basil Smith served two years, and then Billy Jack Land led the department from 1965 to 1977. Jerry Gage served three years and was succeeded by Robertson in 1980.

Former chief Billy Jack Land lauded the department and its men and urged the community to keep the support going, and former chief Jerry Gage recalled a time he and fellow fireman Bob Kidd were called on to take a truck to a fire in Brice. But the old Ford leaked so bad that by the time they got, there all the water was gone.

“There have been a lot of sad, funny, and trying things that have happened,” Gage said, “but there has always been a lot of citizen support.”

County Judge Jack Hall congratulated the department on its centennial and praised the men for putting their lives on the line to protect Donley County, and Mayor Mark White pledged ongoing municipal support for the department.

“We can never appreciate them enough,” White said. “We will continue to support them and hope you will all do the same.”

Chief Robertson presented centennial caps to visiting dignitaries and centennial patches to his department. The Firebelles were individually recognized, and certificates of appreciation were presented to the Howardwick and Hedley fire departments.

The recognition of the department continued Tuesday as it joined the parade of the Saints’ Roost Celebration, and then later that afternoon it was back to business as Clarendon’s firemen suited up to protect our lives and property as they battled several lightning-sparked grassfires.