To the editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Cazenovia Fire Department, Central New York Fireman’s Association, Fire Association of the State of New York, Assemblyman William Magee and Senator David Valesky. At the Cazenovia Fire Department’s annual banquet, I was recognized for my 50 years of service to the department.

In June of 1960, six of us applied to the Hook & Ladder Company; but due to a full roster, we didn’t get in until the annual meeting held in April of 1961. Of those six applicants, I am the only lifetime member still living.

There is one thing I failed to mention at the dinner that night. One of the proudest moments in my tenure as a fireman was in 1972. I was asked to go to the American LaFrance factory in Elmira and bring home our new truck: a 100′ stick open cab. This was the greatest truck to use for spotting at a fire scene because you had very good visibility.

In 1990, I was out of commission for a couple months recovering from back surgery. When I was able to return, there was a cab on the truck. Funny thing though, nobody knew how it got there. That’s when I went out and purchased my own open cab truck.

Boys, you didn’t think I would forget about that, did you? I also wanted to mention to those who attended the banquet; when John Haley speaks, sometimes you have to read between the lines to understand his true meaning, if you know what I mean.

We are still one of the best departments around and I want to send many thanks to all of those who help us during fires, including Chittenango, Erieville, Morrisville, New Woodstock, Smithfield and all of the many college students who have helped out over the years, It’s been a great ride.

John Durfee

Cazenovia