Be Thankful For Volunteer Efforts in Washington Twp.

Washington Township thrives on volunteers. Without them, we wouldn’t have anywhere close to the amount of safety and production we’re accustomed to.

As the editor of this site, I don’t often write opinion pieces, because I don’t believe the news should be about me – it’s about you, this community, and this town.

But I felt this was a pertinent time to express some feelings I’ve had in recent weeks. I have the unique opportunity of covering events, people, and officials and writing about what they do, how they do it and, most importantly, why they do it.

November was a month in which I noticed a pattern, though. And it was filled with volunteers.

More than a year ago I received an email from Forrest Burgener, adjutant to the commander for the American Veterans Association of Washington Township (AVAWT). It explained that he and his fellow veterans were seeking some approval from the town to honor three military members killed in action by naming roads for them.

Burgener, affectionately known in town as “Woody,” brought a host of his fellow members to a Township Committee meeting to make his case. The measure was approved and 2013 became a busy one for the AVAWT members.

On Memorial Day, the group – and plenty of residents – unveiled a road name for Army Cpl. James “Jamie” Smith at Rock Spring Park. On Nov. 11, Veterans Day, in front of family members and on the same property where he attended church as a child, PFC. Vincent E. Fields was honored at Zion Lutheran Church. Just five days later, the roadway leading into Califon Road Cemetery, where PFC. John L. Lindaberry is buried, was named in his honor.

The legwork was done by Burgener and his crew. Many of those veterans, some who struggle to walk these days, attended one, two, and even three of those ceremonies to respect their fallen brothers.

All the work they put in to these services – requesting the presence of officials, arranging for family members to be present, having signs created – was done on a volunteer basis. No one asked for this; it was the will of the men who felt it was necessary and they completed the task.

The other act of selflessness and volunteerism that struck me as extraordinary just happened a this week. I was in Mendham Borough Tuesday morning, covering Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen at an engagement with middle school students there (for those who don’t know, I’m also the editor of Mendham-Chester Patch).

I was heading back toward Long Valley on Rt. 24 when I saw flashing lights about a mile ahead. I saw smoke billowing from a home and immediately pulled over and began exploring the situation. When I wasn’t relaying information to a colleague or taking photos and videos of the scene, I took the time to realize what I was witnessing.

It was a multi-alarm blaze that destroyed the $700,000 home’s roof and the majority of the interior. It took more than two hours for the fire to be fully contained and required nearly a dozen fire companies from the area to assist.

Each and every one of those firefighters, from the guys helping to stretch the lines to the ones standing atop the ladder directly above the flames, was a volunteer.

The flames were furious and frustrating, as hot spots continued to ignite, but the men in masks were up to the task. Washington Township was well represented, as members of the Fairmount Fire Department pulled a truck onto the front lawn of the home and manned water lines and foam spray to quell the blaze.

Our other firefighters in town – Schooley’s Mountain Fire Company and Long Valley Fire Company – played the role of backup for Fairmount, stretched across the 46 square miles Washington Township has to offer. All of them are volunteers, all of them not stopping to think twice about putting their lives on the line for their neighbors.

Quite simply, our guys kicked some serious fire butt that day.

So I guess I’ll end by saying I’m in awe of all our volunteers in this town. These are full time workers, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters. They take time out of their personal lives to attend a meeting and seek approval or spring out of bed at 3 a.m. to make sure a neighbor’s home remains standing.

As a Washington Township resident of nearly 23 years, I say thank you to all our volunteers.

It’s an honor to be your neighbor.