Diagonal Fire Department to celebrate 100 years of service
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By IVY BICE
DIAGONAL, Iowa — The Diagonal Volunteer Fire Department will celebrate 100 years of service to the community with an anniversary celebration Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Honey Hole Bar in Diagonal.
The celebration will include a dinner, silent auction, live auction and a special presentation honoring past and present members of the department.
Diagonal Fire Chief Robbie Mason said the department began in 1926, when community members organized an official fire department. Before that, town members would come together to put out fires when problems arose.
According to a historical article Mason found in the online archives of the Diagonal Reporter from Thursday, Nov. 11, 1926, the department was organized for insurance purposes.
Mason said the department has been looking back through its history in preparation for the anniversary. The annual fundraiser is usually held in October, but this year it was moved to November to coincide with the 100-year celebration.
For Mason, the milestone is an opportunity to recognize everyone who has been part of the department over the years. He said there are several second-generation members and even some third-generation members serving today.
“I just think it’s neat to be part of this celebration to honor everybody who’s come before us,” Mason said.
Community support has also played a major role in keeping the department running. Mason said the department depends on fundraising and the support of the community to continue serving the area.
“The last year alone has blown us away with the amount of community support and fundraising that has been done,” Mason said.
Mason also praised the dedication of the volunteers who respond to calls, attend training and give their time to serve the community and throughout Ringgold County. He said the department has had at least eight people respond to every call, with an average of 11 responding.
Because members are volunteers, Mason said their commitment, along with employers who allow workers to leave when calls come in, is an important part of keeping the department operating.
The anniversary celebration will begin with a dinner and silent auction. Former department members who could be reached have been invited to attend, and the department plans to recognize those who come back for the event.
Mason will also give a presentation about the department’s accomplishments over the past year and its goals for the future before the live auction begins.
The money raised through the auctions will go toward the department’s future needs, including equipment and other improvements to help members better serve the community.
The dinner will be offered for a free-will donation, and community members are encouraged to attend and show their support.
As the department looks back on a century of service, Mason said he hopes the community will continue to support the department and its fundraising efforts in the years ahead.
The celebration will honor the members who helped build the department into what it is today while looking forward to continuing its service to Diagonal and the surrounding area.
