ODHFS Central Region Members;

As difficult as it was, I did come home from Hawaii. I'm waiting for my "Longest Distance Traveled Trophy" for attending the Board of Director's Meeting via zoom at 4 AM while I was there.

First, welcome to the newest members in the region: Steve Korb from Richmond; Gabriel Sanford from S. Prince George; Benard Sprouse from Ashland; and John Maruca from Powhatan (John, we need to talk....I thought I knew everyone in Powhatan). Getting new members and keeping existing ones is the lifeblood of our organization.

Fortunately things are opening up a little bit. Here is what I have so far:

• May 1, 2021 Bring back the Bloom Fire Truck Rodeo and Static Display Winchester VA. While the Apple Blossom Parade has been canceled for 2021, the ODHFS Northern Region will be conducting this event. ODHFS will have a booth there selling our new T-shirts and there will be a flea market. Northern Region Director David Gantt racindave@msn.com is looking for members to help out during this event. Those that can will receive a free lunch. Details on our website!
  
• June 5, 2021 Virginia Fire & EMS Memorial Service as of 4/25/2021 - The Committee that is planning for the Fire & EMS Memorial Service is continuing to move forward but everyday it seems something beyond the control of the Committee makes us revise our plans.

  At the Richmond Raceway Complex Amphitheater there is a wide brick paver walkway from the mid-way parking area (where all parking for this event will be located) to the amphitheater seating areas. It is our plan to place two ladder trucks (from departments of Fallen Firefighters) set up at the parking lot end of this walkway with a US Flag suspended from them for the families to walk below.

  It had been our plan to line the sides of the walkway with antique fire apparatus and leave heavier in service apparatus (from departments of the fallen) in the parking area near the ladder trucks. We have now been informed by the Richmond Raceway that every vehicle that we desire to park on the pavers must be approved by the Raceway. To receive this approval, for each vehicle I must submit a photo of the vehicle along with its weight.

  Therefore if you desire to display your antique and it is a small sized vehicle, please send me a photo and the weight ASAP but not later than May 1st! If you have a larger size vehicle that you want to display in the parking area near the ladder trucks that the families will be walking beside, please let me know ASAP but not later than May 1st. (Tom Yenovkian, I have your information)

  If you do not have a vehicle but desire to help me get the vehicles in place, I would love the help. Please let me know.

  Please note that due to Commonwealth of Virginia and Richmond Raceway COVID requirements, the service will not be open to the public but will be live streamed. The service will be open to family members of the fallen, members of their home departments, invited honor guard members, and ODHFS members who display apparatus. All attending will be required to complete a medical screening and Raceway release form. This is why I need the names of all our members that will be on our antiques or assisting me with logistics.

  Next problem: It had been our plan to place an antique hose reel (or similar) at each end of the large stage in the amphitheater. While Tommy Herman has two hose carts that could be used, unfortunately his only enclosed trailer is full of the ODHFS archives. Therefore if you have a hose reel or similar hand drawn device and a means to transport it to/from the Racetrack OR if you have an enclosed trailer that could be used to move Tommy's reels to the Racetrack, please let me know ASAP.

  I am sure some of you, like me, are getting a little frustrated getting told one thing and then three days later being told the complete opposite. To get through it I've been taking a breath and remembering that it is not about me, or ODHFS, but about the 12 fallen heros and their families that we will be honoring. Floyd - 804-347-9016 (leave a message if I don't pick up).

• June 19, 2021 9 AM - 3 PM NC Transportation Museum Fire Truck Show, Spencer NC. Advance Tickets Recomended.
  For more information: https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/fire-truck-show/
  
• October 9, 2021 10:00 AM ODHFS Annual Muster at Wilck's Lake Park in Farmville VA. Registration opens in July. As of today, the park is still closed due to Covid restrictions but with other events opening up throughout the Commonwealth, it is hoped we will be allowed to have our Muster there as planned so add this to your calendar. Please note that due to the two universities in the town, hotels in the area fill up quickly on weekends. Therefore if you will need lodging, it is recommended you make the arrangements ASAP. Here is a link that shows the available facilities in the area: https://visitfarmville.com/places-to-stay/. For more information on the Muster contact Floyd Greene at: FloydPowhatan@gmail.com.

As detailed in the Spring 2021 Torchbearer Newsletter, we have implemented the SPOND app to improve the communications among our members. If you have any questions contact Jack Sulivan odhfswebchief@gmail.com.

If anyone needs any equipment to outfit your antique (or den) contact Western Region Director Rob Farris robswheels@verizon.net . He is coordinating the equipment that was formally in the ODHFS trailer that is now at the Virginia Fire Museum in Roanoke along with other "good stuff' the museum has a surplus of.

The Northern Region is putting together a display of all dash plaques awarded at the Apple Blossom events over the years. They are missing two: 1998 Wodstock VFD Hand Pumper and 2000 Orange VFD Segrave Squad. If you have either and can part with it, please contact David Gantt racindave@msn.com.

Thank you to those who have submitted their 2021 dues renewal. Even though 2020 was a very slow year for parades and gatherings for our members, ODHFS still has expenses (insurance, Internet fees, newsletters, etc.) that continue even during a Pandemic. If you lost your renewal letter, please send your $15 to ODHFS; P.O. Box 4196; Chester VA 23831 or use the Pay Pal site that is on the ODHFS website.

If you learn of any parades or events our Members would be interested in, be sure to let me and web chief Jack Sullivan ODHFSWebChief@gmail.com know about them.

Floyd - FloydPowhatan@gmail.com