Gary Preston and his wife , Patricia , are enjoying some precious free time on a cool fall evening at their home . Although it is a weeknight , and the couple are relaxing after their day , there is a pager and a radio transmitter buzzing in the room . “ The six ’ o ’ clock test is about to come through ,” says Gary , warning me that his pager might startle me . The Prestons are used to being constantly on call . Gary has been serving at the Upland Volunteer Fire Department for 28 years .

After graduating Eastbrook High School , Gary served four years in the Navy and then returned to Upland to marry his sweetheart . He started working as a mechanic at a Buick dealership in Marion . In time , he became an EMT and then joined the fire department at the age of 28 , as well as continuing his day job .

The Upland Fire Department covers 66 square miles around this area and is run strictly by volunteers . Gary has served in every capacity except Chief , and has seen many younger men step up to serve the community in this way . Recently , the Department had their first

female Volunteer join up , Armila Francis . The men enjoyed watching her finish her knitting projects during training lectures , and were astonished at how quickly she learned and at how she could carry an 80lb pack ! Training regulations used to be fairly simple , and it was a lot easier to recruit new volunteers , but now new recruits have to take four months of classes two nights a week , within two years of joining , and many people find it difficult to find the time to volunteer on top of regular jobs . There have been some excellent firemen in Taylor students , who joined up during their studies , and some have continued on to become firefighters in other cities as a full-time career . Most of the firefighters who stay are local residents who have grown up in the area .

Gary says , “ It ’ s volunteering until you join up . After that it ’ s an obligation . I ’ ve got up during family meals , Christmas . We had a house fire once on New Year ’ s Eve and I brought in the New Year with a bunch of firemen . It ’ s not always convenient . People have problems at 2am , and it

doesn ’ t matter what you ’ re doing , they need your help .” After being up in the night , Gary will still have to go to his regular job at Buick in the morning .

The work is dangerous , but rewarding . Patricia knows every time Gary

leaves that he is stepping into very risky situations . “ But I ’ m proud of him ,” she says . “ I wouldn ’ t have it any other way .” Gary ’ s voice tightens a little as he speaks about the losses of life they have seen over the years . With the I69 highway

so close by , the department is called out regularly to car wrecks . The firemen are trained to cut open car chassis ’, set up helicopter landing areas on the highway at night , and provide emergency care . They also grieved the loss of a team-mate , Sidney Hall , in a housefire in 2007 . Gary says it is still hard to think about that time of tragedy that rocked their community .

“ It ’ s a brotherhood . We have a mutual aid agreement with other departments . We have fought fires with Van Buren , Matthews and we even helped fight the big fire on main street in Swayzee .” Upland has had a fire department for over 100 years . Before there were fire hydrants , there was a fire bucket outside every house . When there was a fire and the whistle blew , every person would grab their bucket to help fight the fire .

“ People think that there is a group of people at the station all the time . But these are people that have to come from their homes to respond ,” says Patricia . And yet the response time from call to the trucks leaving the station averages 2 minutes . Gary says the equipment

they have at the Upland Station is top-class , and they are well-funded so that they have been able to serve the community with excellence , without having to worry about fundraising to cover basic supplies . “ No fire station should have worry about raising the money themselves to provide the basic services to the community ,” says Gary .

The Upland Volunteer Fire Department is deeply connected to the community . They take part in all the town festivities and parades , and are always open to tours from schools in the area . Many a young boy has been photographed on a gleaming Upland fire truck , with a helmet on his head and the twinkle of a dream in his eyes . Gary remembers when he lived four houses down from his home now , as just a small boy , hearing the fire trucks go by . “ I remember seeing those trucks , and thinking , now wouldn ’ t THAT be cool .” The Prestons have certainly set an example of community service for generations to come . And Gary still has the twinkle in his eyes .

Taylor , Continued from 1

to the local community around us ,” said Amanda Wilson , Director of Special Projects at Taylor University . “ Their music bridges generations of believers with a message of hope in Christ , and we are looking forward to a wonderful time of praise and worship .” To purchase tickets , visit : www . taylor . edu / sidewalkprophets /.

Weekend schedule highlights include :

Friday 10:00 a . m . Chapel , Rediger Chapel / Auditorium 1:00-4:00 p . m . Lifelong

Learning Sessions , various classrooms

1:30 p . m . Alumni Award Reception , Euler Science Complex , Legacy ’ 64 Commons

4:00 p . m . C . S . Lewis Homecoming Lecture : A Tribune to David Neuhouser , C . S . Lewis Center , Zondervan Library

5:00 p . m . Around the World International Dinner , Hodson Dining Commons

6:00 p . m . Visiting Artist Reception , Metcalf Gallery , Modelle Metcalf Visual Arts Center

7:00 p . m . Volleyball v . Marian University , Odle Arena

7:30 p . m . Concert featuring

Music Department Ensembles , Rediger Chapel / Auditorium

9:00 p . m . Playback Theatre , Mitchell Theatre

Saturday

7:30 a . m . Taylor Bike Ride , sponsored by the Class of 1991 – includes Wandering Wheels alumni reunion with Coach Bob Davenport in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first Wheels Across America Ride

8:00 a . m . Taylor 5k , LaRita Boren Campus Center

11:30 a . m . Reunion Row , Kesler Student Activities Center

1:00 p . m . Cardboard

Boat Regatta , Taylor Lake 1:00 p . m . Football v . Sienna Heights , Turner Stadium

3:00 p . m . Ballet 5:8 : The Stor ( ies ) of You and Me , Recital Hall

3:00 p . m . Presidential and Faculty Reception , Lembright Atrium , Euler Science Complex

7:00 p . m . Women ’ s Soccer v . Indiana Wesleyan , Turner Stadium

8:00 p . m . Sidewalk Prophets Concert , Rediger Chapel / Auditorium