Evening star., 1947-09-14
Prince Georges
FIRE. Unit Marks
lis 18th Year
Event Observed in
HyuttsviIIe With
Parade, Contests


vile yesterday, as the citizens of
Prince Georges County turned out
to watch the County Volunteer Fire
mems Association celebrate its 25th
anniversary.
Their ranks were swelled to nearly
5000 persons as visiting companies
from other counties of Maryland
and Virginia joined the county
smoke eaters" in a parade through
the city and in contests later in
Magruder Park.
In an election, later in the day,
T. Allen Penn of Clinton was
chosen president of the association
FOR the coming year. Mr.. Penn sue
ceeds John M. Brown of Seat Pleas
ant.
Through fag-bedecked streets
more than 100 pieces of fire appara-
tus and ambulances moved slowly
with sirens wailing and bells ring
ing.
Compete For Prizes.
At Magruder Park about rs COM
panies competed for prizes.
Also elected were three unopposed
candidates: v. A. Simmel of Cot
tage City, treasurer; Floyd B. Hell
mer, Branchville, secretary: and
James E. Sampson, Brentwood,
chaplain.
The new officers were installed
last night in special ceremonies
conducted by John j. Fainter, 81
year-old veteran of so years service
with the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire
Department.
At the same time. new officers of
the ladies' auXilaries of the county
were installed by Mrs. Fainter.
Elected at their annual meeting
Friday night, they were, Mrs. Mar
garet Koenig, West Lanham Hills,
president; Mrs. Rose Libernine,
Riverdale Heights, vice president;
Mrs. Catherine Smith, West Lam
ham Hills. secretary; Mrs. Marie
Murphy, Brentwood, treasurer; Mrs.
Emile Vincent, Hyattsville, guard,
and Mrs. Anne Burnett of Branch
vile. chaplain.
olttCCTS LGdu dTducs
Leading the parade in the first
car were delegation of county and
municipal police officers, including
County Police Supt. Ralph w.
Brown, Lit R. c. Sines, county
police; Chief Howard H. Holmes,
Hyattsville police, and 1t. Ernest
M. Mulligan, Colmar Manor.
They were followed by the Co.
piece Army Ground Forces Band,
which also presented concert last
night in Hyattsville. and Miss Lor-
raine Sullivan, %, of University
Park, queen of the convention, and
six members of her court.
Prizes for the best showings In
the parade were presented, by Miss
Sullivan last night at. a dance in
the Hyattsville Armorys
One of the prize winners. the
Sykesville CMd0 ladies' auxiliary,
failed to arrive on time to partici-
pate in the parade After their bus
broked down en- route to the parade,
the women marched past the judges
who were still figuring the prize
winners. They won top honors for
the best women's drill team.
The top prize for parade compe-
tition, $75, was won by members of
the 9O-person delegation of the
Williamsport (Md) Volunteer Fire
Department, and auxiliary band.
Other Winners Listed.
Other winners in the parade were
Cottage City, disappearing Prince
Georges County company; Boule-
ward Heights, best in county under
l 900 population; Laurel, company
from the county having the most
in line; Ellicott City, best-appear-
ing company from outside the
county; Smithsburg (Md) company,
coming the longest distance; Silver
Spring, most in line from outside
the county; Gaithersburg, best
comic act, and Troop 229, Green
belt, best Boy Scout unit in parade.
Also, disappearing ambulance,
Bladensburg; disappearing ambu-
lance outside the county, Kensing-
ton; disappearing band, second
prize, District Elks Boys Club Band;
oldest piece Of apparatus, Silver
Spring.
Contest winners included: Pumper
contest, Riverdale; pumper contest
outside county. Glen Echo; pumper
contest for permanent possession of
cup, District Heights; George N.
Palmer cup, Brentwood; first aid
contests, Bladensburg and Kensing-
ton.