| On Saturday, May 3rd, 2008, the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen's Association Convention was held in St. Leonard. The members in attendance took part in a memorial service, which was dedicated to all of our deceased relatives and friends in the fire/rescue organizations that have passed away within the last year. At the conclusion of the memorial service, a very nice dinner was held (catered by Thompson's Seafood) and then the SMVFA meeting took place.
During the meeting, there were a total of 10 members that were inducted into the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen's Association Hall of Fame. Of those 10 members, we would like to congratulate our own Life Member, Robert "Bobby" Abell for his induction into the 2008 SMVFA Hall of Fame. Below is part of the article that was submitted to the Hall of Fame Nominating Committee on behalf of Bobby Abell.
"Bobby Abell originally began his voluntary duties to our rescue squad prior to officially joining. He volunteered his time and assisted with the construction and completion of the original John K. Erly Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad building. Bobby joined our squad in 1966 as an Active Member at the age of 29.
Bobby upheld numerous officer positions, including Chief (1972 and 1973), President (1975, 1976, and 1977), and Vice President (1974). He was well liked among the members and would spend countless hours going above and beyond for them. In 1981, after completing 15 years of dedicated service, Bobby was bestowed Life Membership.
In April of 2001, the original John K. Erly Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad building caught fire. All of our ambulances and equipment stored in the building were ruined or badly damaged. When Bobby heard the call and alarms on his pager, he immediately responded to our building and drove the ambulances and the old Cadillac out of the building before they burned completely. This heroic endeavor saved a great deal of our supplies and equipment. By him retrieving the ambulances, which housed the oxygen tanks and other combustible equipment, he reduced the possibility of an explosion, which would have affected our neighbors.
Bobby has been a tremendous asset to the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad by his endless hours of dedication and service that he has so graciously provided to us. We believe that he is most deserving of this nomination into the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen's Association Hall of Fame and would like to recognize Bobby for his many years of service."
We would also like to recognize and congratulate Charles "Robbie" Wood from the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department for his Hall of Fame induction as well.
CONGRATULATIONS ALL! |
