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Recent Events
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| Funeral Services for Rockingham LODD |
The RCFR Honor Guard was proud to render a full honors funeral for fallen firefighter Roy D. Smith III of the McGaheysville Volunteer Fire Company on November 11, 2008. Honor Guards from around the state assisted us with these events and the services would not have been possible without their help. A special thanks to the Waynesboro Fire Department, Henrico Fire Department, and the Hanover Fire Departments Honor Guards who helped tremendously with this event. We also had an amazing response from the Northern Virginia Emerald Society and Montgomery County Pipes and Drums. We are very grateful for their help and cannot say enough about their commitment and professionalism.
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| Firefighter Roy Smith III |
It is with great saddness we announce the death of Firefighter Roy D. Smith III of the McGaheysville Volunteer Fire Company. Roy was responding to a working structure fire on November 7, 2008 when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed at approximately 0130 hours. Firefighter Smith was a member of the department since October 2007 and was a junior at Spotswood High School. Funeral services will be held on November 11, 2008 at 1100 hours at Kyger Funeral Home in Elkton, VA. Please visit the Mcgaheysville Fire Department website at www.mvfd80.org
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| Salisbury NC Firefighter Services |
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, firefighters, and friends of Victor Isler and Justin Monroe of the Salisbury Fire Department in North Carolina. Our department was able to send a representative to pay respects to these two firefighters who died in a 5 alarm fire at the Salisbury Millworks last Saturday. Several thousand people were in attendance with the majority of them being firefighters from all over the state of NC as well as surrounding states. Several FDNY firefighters were also seen throughout the visitation and funeral services. 
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| Captain Thomas "Russ" Barr (ret.) |
The RCFR Honor Guard rendered honors to retired Harrisonburg Fire Department Captain Thomas "Russ" Barr on January 10, 2008. Mr. Barr began his career with the fire service in 1950 with the Harrisonburg Fire Department. During his career he served as Sergeant, Training Officer, and Captain. He retired in 1998 with 37 years of service; he was also a life member of Hose company No. 4, Fire Company No.1, and the State Fire Chief Association.
The RCFR Honor Guard would like to extend our sympathy to the Barr family during their recent loss. Mr. Barr recently had the honor of seeing his son Russell retire from the Rockingham County Department of Fire & Rescue on December 31, 2007. Russell had been the team leader of the RCFR Honor Guard for the last 6 years until his recent retirement; our personnel were honored to be a part of the services for his father as well as for his family.
HFD Battalion Chief Thomas Moffett wrote the following letter to the editor regarding retired Captain Thomas Barr:
A Dedicated Firefighter
A
hero of mine died today. He had an impact on me that made me a better
person and a better public servant. Some may reflect and see his life
differently than me, but I choose to remember the good. He
gave more than 30 years of his life to the City of Harrisonburg and its
citizens as a career firefighter, and he gave even more of his time as
a volunteer. He
started as a basic firefighter and retired as a captain. He worked
holidays, weekends, and worked at a time when the shift came on duty at
midnight and went home in the morning.
There were times that he wasn't the model employee, but he was there; standing his watch over this town. A
hero of mine died today. He taught firefighters all over the
Commonwealth of Virginia how to be tough as nails and I always pictured
him as the proverbial drill instructor screaming at guys for not doing
it right. He
did a stint as the Training Officer for this city's Fire Department as
well. He might have occasionally butchered a technical term, but what
he had learned over the years, he shared with his coworkers. A
hero of mine died today. When it came time to be direct and stop the
nonsense and tell it like it was, there was no one like him. I can't
say that I'm always the best at being diplomatic, but I learned to tell
it like it is, in part, because of this man. There
will be lots of folks that will remember Thomas Russell Barr
differently than I do and that's okay. There will be lots of folks that
won't remember what he did for the citizens of Harrisonburg and
Rockingham County as a defender of our safety. But, for me, the guy who got promoted to captain by his retirement, I'll always remember a hero of mine died today.
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| Members attend Goshen Camp |
Our department was fortunate to be able to send two additional members of our department to Goshen Indiana. Captain James F Werner III and Lieutenant Karen Will spent a week at the camp learning the basics of marching, flag movement, and of course rendering funeral honors. We will post some photos as soon as they come available. We only have one member of the team who has not attended the training, but he is scheduled for the April 2008 program. Thanks to all those who support our team.
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| Members Attend Training |
The RCFR Honor Guard was able to send three more members of our department to Goshen Indianna for a week of education, fun and fellowship. Lieutenant Keith Higgs, Lieutenant Brian Foley, and Firefighter Dennis 'Chip' Taylor attended Goshen Police Departments Honor Guard Camp in April. All enjoyed the camp and we are looking forward to sending the final three members to camp in the fall. We cannot recommend the Goshen Police Department Honor Guard Camp enough. The instructors are wonderful and the material covered is more than adequate. We are thankful for their commitment to the program to ensure propers honors are rendered to those who deserve honoring.
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| Founding Member Honored |
Thursday April 12, 2007
Members of the Honor Guard gathered this evening to render honors to a pioneer of emergency services in the Grottoes area. S.M. "Mickey" Good is a founding member of the Grottoes Rescue Squad and was scheduled to celebrate his 40th year of service to the rescue squad this Saturday. Mr. Good passed away on Monday April 9 at Harrisonburg Health and Rehab where he was recovering from pneumonia complications. The Honor Guard was privileged to stand "Casket Watch" over this dedicated member of the community. His wisdom and humor will be sadly missed by all. Members in attendance were: Captain Russell Barr, Captain James Werner, Captain Issac Diehl, Firefighter Steve Powell, and Firefighter Adam Dove. |
| Fiefighter Caracofe Memorial Service |
Fallen Fireman Honored
October 28, 2006
BRIDGEWATER — A former volunteer firefighter was remembered at a ceremony today at Oakdale Park in Bridgewater. Eddie Caracofe, who died fighting a blaze at Jess’ Quick Lunch in Harrisonburg 27 years ago, was honored at Bridgewater’s Memorial Garden at 2 p.m. in recognition of his efforts. On June 21, 1979, Caracofe was killed while responding to a fire at Jess’ Quick Lunch.
The Rockingham County Honor Guard was honored to take part in the cermony for Firefighter Caracofe. Team members raised the National Colors and presented the Ceremonial Flag to John Humes who then presented it to the family. Team members in attendance were Captain Russell Barr, Captain Isaac Diehl, Lieutenant Brian Foley, Firefighter Steve Powell, Firefighter Brook Johnson, and Firefighter Adam Dove. Please visit the Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department website at Bridgewaterfire.com for additional coverage of the memorial service.
 
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| McGaheysville Parade |
Members of the Color Guard proudly represented the department with the presentation of our National colors at the McGaheysville Firemans Parade on July 28, 2006. The department recently issued our new shirts which are utilized for less formal occasions and a little cooler than formal attire. Members in attendance are from left to right: Firefighter Adam Dove, Captain Russell Barr, Captain James Werner III, Firefighter Brooke Johnson, and Firefighter Chip Taylor. |
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