Photos by Richard Lewin Professional Photography (soniboy@aol.com)
Hello, and welcome to this month’s edition of Montauk Fire Department Corner. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and family, and I’m sure you are all getting ready for the continuing holiday season.
I’m sure everyone has heard about the devastating wildfires that recently ravaged the island of Maui, Hawaii. Over 2,000 homes were destroyed and 97 people died. The city of Lahaina, located on Maui, was particularly hard hit, in fact several firefighters lost their own homes during that time. I am proud to say that the Members of the Montauk Fire Department approved a donation of $3,000 to assist our brother and sister firefighters from Lahaina. It’s that spirit that makes me proud to be a part of this organization.
Also, once again this year, our Big Red Toy Donation Box was placed on The Green. The over 130 donations were shipped to the children of Lahaina. Attached here is a photo of some of the gifts next to a fire truck from the Maui Fire Department. Special thanks to MFD Company No. 5’s Dennis O’Reilly, who has been in charge of this project for fifteen years. Here is the letter of thanks from Bryan Staubitser of Maui Fire Department’s Ladder Company, for our generosity. Please also see the attached photo of The Red Box.
Once again Fire Police Company No. 6 assisted with traffic control at the annual Halloween parade down Montauk’s Main Street. The parade was well attended by kids and adults in all sorts of creative costumes. Thank you to the men and women of Company No. 6 for assisting with this event every year. Some photos are shown here.
I’m proud to say that the Montauk Fire Department has many veterans in our ranks, from the Navy, Marines, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard. This year, several of our own veterans decided to commemorate Veterans Day by attending the dedication of John Behan Park located at the intersection of West Lake Drive and Flamingo Road. The park is named in honor of one of Montauk’s favorite sons, John Behan, who was a Marine who lost both his legs while serving in Vietnam. John’s wife, Marilyn, was the host of the dedication which was attended by many families and friends of the Behan family. Please see the attached photo by The Montauk Sun’s Ken Giustino.
Thanks again to Fire Police Company No. 6 for providing traffic control for this year’s annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot Run for Fun around Fort Pond. A group photo appears here. There were over 1200 participants this year, which is a record for this event. I’m happy to say all the participants made it safely around the course, and that a good time was had by all. 
Attached here is a photo of Company No. 6’s Eddie Ecker with his daughter Kari Shea, and Denis, Ronan and Maggie Shea.
Attention all Montauk Senior Citizens!! Don’t forget that the 44th Annual Holiday Dinner for Montauk Seniors, sponsored by the Montauk Fire Department and the Montauk Point Lions Club, will be held on Sunday, December 3rd at the Montauk Fire House. Come on down and enjoy a nice holiday dinner with your friends.
From all of us at the Montauk Fire Department, we wish all of you a happy holiday season.
~ Ken Glogg, Chief, Montauk Fire Departmet
https://www.montaukfiredistrict.org
