Southern Ulster Times, Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Ulster County Firemen’s parade was a hit
By MARK REYNOLDS
[email protected]
On Saturday the Highland Hose
Company hosted the annual Ulster County
Firemen’s Parade, which coincided with
their own 125th anniversary. Planning
began six years ago and it all paid off –
with perfect weather and about 35 fire
companies showing up to proudly march
through town in full uniform. The parade
ended at the town field where hamburgers,
hot dogs and refreshments were served
free of charge to the strains of country
music. The evening came to a close with a
spectacular fireworks display.
Mike DePaola is not only a member
of the Highland Fire Department but is
President of the Ulster County Volunteer
Firemen’s Association. He keeps all of the
volunteer firefighters abreast of what is
happening in the field in Ulster County.
DePaola loves being part of the fire
service and protecting his community.
He started at the age of 18 as a ‘probie’
and worked his way up the ladder. He
is presently Fire Police Lieutenant in
Highland and is also President of the
Ulster County Fire Police Association.
“This parade I dedicate to my mom
[Judy DePaola] who died of cancer six
years ago,” he said. “When I lost her it was
hard but she’s the one who gave me all the
strength to go as far as I did; she was there
for me.”
In recent years DePaola attended
numerous meetings to prepare for the
parade down to the littlest detail.
Firefighter Jim Balint chaired the
One of Plattekill’s finest fire trucks.
Planning Committee for the parade. He
said Saturday’s parade, “was one of the
best Convention Parades we’ve ever had
in Ulster County.” He said scheduling the
parade later in the day, with step off at 6
p.m., was a welcome relief from marching
in the heat of the day.
Continued on page 26
The Ladies Auxiliary of Modena proudly marched into the hamlet.
Highland Rotarian Christine Giangrasso kept on cooking hamburgers for the public.
A wrap-around porch provided a perfect view of the parade.
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