The Lykens Standard of 12 June 1936 gave full front page coverage to the Dauphin County Volunteer Firemen’s Convention which was held in Lykens at that time.
A portrait of Edward L. Gratz, was followed by the following:
EDWARD L. GRATZ
Chairman General Committee
Chairman Edward L. Gratz of the local Fire Company, expresses his thanks and appreciation. “This has sure been a job,” said Gratz this morning. The boys all went into it for all it was worth, and I know that tomorrow’s big time will eclipse anything heretofore attempted by our local company, let’s hope we put it across without one mishap.” That’s fine Ed. We feel sure that everybody in Lykens agrees with you.
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Included was an article describing the event:
DAUPHIN COUNTY FIREMEN’S MEET BEGINS AT 10 A.M.
In the spacious pavilion and auditorium at West Borough Park, the Eighteenth Annual Convention of the Dauphin County Volunteer Firemen’s Convention will swing into action this morning at exactly 10:00 o’clock. President Frank H. Fisher of the Baldwin Company, Steelton, will wield the gavel. J. Earl Keim, Secretary, will be there with pencils sharpened and George Geiger, director of finances with the draw string bag. The delegates have been streaming into Lykens since early yesterday, and it is expected that the convention hall will be brimming over by the time the appointed hour arrives.
The big hall has been appropriately decorated in a most fitting setting equal to the purpose and occasion.
Memorial Services This Afternoon
At 4 o’clock this afternoon a rather impressive service will be conducted in the hall in memory of those memory of those members who have departed since the last conclave, following at 8:00, the elaborate Queen coronation festivities will begin.
Penbrook To Make Strong Bid For Convention Next Year
The Penbrook delegation to the convention are coming prepared to make a strong bid for next year’s convention, and from present indication, it is quite safe to predict that they may go home with the proverbial bacon.
Adam L. Welker Will Head Local Delegation
Under the leadership of Adam L. Welker, the delegation from Liberty Hose Company, will be in able hands, so far as the interests of the local company are concerned. We believe that Lykens will support the Penbrook wagon on the floor.
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Finally, the parade was described:
VOLUNTEER FIREMEN WILL PARADE IN LYKENS AND WICONISCO
AS PART OF TWO-DAY CONVENTION; MOVES AT 2 P.M.
Seated on the throne, located in Market Square, Queen Pauline, will touch an electric button at exactly 2:00 o’clock tomorrow afternoon, immediately upon which the fire siren will peal forth its shrill scream, explosives will rend the air, sky rockets will crack overhead and the 18th annual parade of the fire eaters of Dauphin County will be officially under way.
Chief Andrew Bateman Will Lead The Way
Fire Chief Andrew Bateman of the local company, Chairman of the Parade Committee and Chief Marshal of the big push, will lead the way over the selected route of the marching crusaders. He will be assisted by Harry Adam Miller, Chief of Staff and the following Aides: Adam L. Welker, Elwood Miller and Tyrus Snyder.
Parade Route
The big parade will form at Market Square from where it will move East on Main and follow the state highway to Siemon’s corner in Wiconisco, there westward through Pottsville Street and approach Market Street, Lykens, at the Reading Station. At this point the paraders will cover the principal streets of the borough winding up in counter-march style on East Main and swing in triumphial step down old Main Street to the borough park, where it [will] end.
Several Hours To Pass
From the many companies now signed up to participate, it can be safely predicted that the parade will require about two hours to pass any given point along the route. Bands, drum corps, colorful delegations, regalia, firemen, fire engines, auxiliaries, confetti, streamers, red lights, banners, equipment in fact everything that goes into the pot for a real firemen’s parade.
Lend A Helping Hand Along The Parade
The day may be hot, it may be inclement, no matter what the weather any marchers in a big parade tires and becomes thirsty. Liberty Hose Company therefore make this appeal to all the residents living along the line of parade: Get a big bucket or tub, for that matter, of cool ice water out to the curb. Give the boys a welcome hand. A big dipper of cool, refreshing water to a tired marcher, certainly goes a long way. Let’s show these visitors the spirit of Lykens and Wiconisco hospitality.
Paraders Will Be Fed At the Park
Immediately following the parade, Liberty Hose Company will provide a good tasty lunch and refreshments to the visiting firemen in the West Borough Park. Thousands upon thousands of various sandwiches have been made up. Gallons of piping hot coffee will be in readiness. Accommodations to handle the rush has been well planned and organized by the Committee in charge.
Special Accommodation For Visiting Lady Marchers
A large tent has bee erected for the special care of the ladies who will participate in the parade. To them will be served a tempting lunch, separate and apart from the firemen. This service will be under the direct supervision of the lady-folk of ths several committee members of the Lykens firemen.
First Aid Stations in Readiness
Located throughout the community first aid units will stand ready to render such service and assistance as my be required in the event of accidents. We sincerely hope that nothing shall happen which might tend to mar the event, but ready for the occasion, the Firemen are letting nothing undone to provide confidence and security.
Lost Children
In the event that small children should become separated from their parents during the parade. Liberty Hose Company request that all residents take such children into their homes and immediately call the local fire house. Plans have been perfected to take care of all such instances until the parents are located and the children or persons returned.
Ample Police Protection
Throughout the entire affair, a specially delegated police will quietly mingle in through and among the crowds on the alert for thieves and nuisances. This force will be under the personnel supervision of Police Chief Charles J. Witmer.
Avoid Jams; Let Parade Move
Please stand back to the curb. Cooperate with the police and thus permit the parade to move along uninterrupted. Delays, usually caused by crowding can be avoided by a full measure of cooperation by the observing public.
Hand-Claps Go A Long Way
As the firemen pass in review before you tomorrow, remember they are the non-paid, volunteer men who stand ready at all hours, days and night to protect our property and our lives from FIRE. They represent hundreds who stood in the rain and chill, who risked their lives in water, neck-deep sometimes, last March to carry, and boat men, women and children out of the devastated flood districts of Dauphin County. They are the hundreds of unselfish men who have gone into our hospitals and offered their blood in times of emergency. At this moment more than three hundred accepted types of blooded firemen are on record awaiting calls for transfusion. As they pass by, tomorrow, give them a hand. Loosen your cheers. Pay them homage. LET’S SHOW THEM HOW REALLY AN TRULY WE ALL APPRECIATE THEIR FINE AND NOBLE SERVICE.
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News articles and photo from Newspapers.com.
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