Firefighters
Captain Larry DeHaven
When I traveled to New York City, I was slightly surprised how excited people got when they saw a fire truck, a group of firemen, and/or a fire house. Firefighters are true heroes. They run into burning buildings to save people. Firefighting is an honorable profession.
My husband’s father was a firefighter. He first entered this profession in the United States Air Force. He served for many years as Captain of the Bellaire Fire Department. He even served as acting Fire Chief of the Department for awhile. Sadly, he died when my husband was only nine years old.
My husband has very few memories of his father, but this past weekend the Bellaire Fire Department held an open house and dedication of their brand-new facility. All of my husband’s family attended, including us.
It was truly a walk down memory lane for his family. Three firefighters still employed at the Bellaire Fire Department worked under Captain Larry DeHaven. They told many funny stories about him to my family. It was so good to hear them and laugh.
My husband even remembered falling asleep on top of a fire truck one day he was visiting his dad at work. Lane crawled up amongst the hoses and dozed off. He was awakened rudely by the movement of the truck and the squeal of the siren as the truck began to leave to respond to a call. Luckily he managed to scramble off the truck before it left.
The bell in the display case now.
In memory of Lane’s father, the Bellaire Fire Department dedicated a bell to him. It originally rode on a fire truck with a rope to ring the bell as the firefighters responded to a call. Years later, they have moved the bell to a display case in the living area of the station.
The first plaque on the bell was getting worn so they replaced it with a new one. The Fire Department generously presented the old one to the DeHaven family. We were really touched.
Lane’s father passed away almost three decades ago. This past Saturday meant a lot to the DeHaven family. I want to thank the Bellaire Fire Department for being so receptive to us and allowing us the honor of having the old plaque.
Our children also received a good tour of the station and were able to sit inside of a fire truck. Fire Departments do a good job of educating our youth on fire prevention.
Lane has always been proud that his father was a firefighter, and he should. They protect our lives and property. In our rural area, we have a volunteer fire department. Once the Plantersville Fire Department had to come and help my husband put out a grass fire, but that is a long story. The fire came within fifteen yards of a neighbor’s house. Without the fire department, it might have been lost or damaged.
Support your local firefighters. Visit the station with your children. It makes for a fun and informative field trip. And, if you are a firefighter, professional or volunteer, my family thanks you for your service.
Isaac and Andrew DeHaven. Possibly future firefighters?
What a great story! Thank you for sharing.