March 1977 marks the 50th anniversary of the Carrollton Volunteer Fire Department, and we wish to pay tribute to this organization which served Carrollton for many years, even after the advent of a paid professional department.

The volunteers are now disbanded, but the memory of these fine dedicated men remains. The charter members of the Volunteer Fire Department organized in March 1927, were as follows: Charlie Chastain, Chief, Water Kennedy, Asst. Chief, Ted McCoy, Capt., Gus Perry, Lt., Burnett Perry, Secy. and Treas., Chester Good, Electrician, Frank Burgess, Lois Burgess, E. H. Bishop, J. B. Gravley, Roy Gravley, Holman Rhoton, Edgar Good, Arthur Gravley, Dell Smith, Clarence Hays, Noble Whitlock, Gordon Vandergriff, Wilkie Fyke and Walter Jackson. Still with us from this group are Chester Good, Edgar Good, and Holamn Rhoton.

We can remember the competition with other nearby fire departments, with races with Bob Patterson as official timekeeper. And we can remember Mrs. Lillie Patterson as "Mother" of the department. And we can remember the annuarl carnivals on the Square, the ice cream suppers, the annual Firemen's Banquets, the donkey ball games, the womanless wedding, the Plyas. These activities made money so that new equipment could be purchased.

Although not  charter members, there are others who were dedicated volunteers for many years. Those we can remember are Bert Ramsey, Darrell Myers, James Lewis, Ralph Burgess, E. L. Russell, Clyde Russell, Mc Kirkham, Dr. Walter Fiegel, Leon Weatherly and Roy Posey.

Happy Anniversary fellas.

Metrocrest - Thursday, March 24, 1977, Section II, pg 6