[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 66 (Thursday, April 21, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E394]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE WILTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT ON THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY 
                            OF ITS FOUNDING

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 21, 2022

  Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the 
Wilton Volunteer Fire Department on the 75th anniversary of its 
founding. This fire department has shown tremendous dedication to 
protecting and serving the town of Wilton as well as the surrounding 
municipalities in Saratoga County.
  The Wilton Volunteer Fire Department held their first unofficial 
meeting, comprised of twenty members, on September 17, 1947. The Wilton 
Town Board then approved a committee of six commissioners, who held 
their first charter meeting on October 1, 1947. Despite limited funding 
and resources, Wilton's first group of volunteers overcame these 
obstacles and soon raised enough funds to purchase their first truck, a 
1944 United States Navy vehicle that had been in service in WWII and 
became known as ``713.''
  In the years that followed, the Department grew and evolved within 
the community but never lost touch with their history. Today, Truck 713 
is still proudly displayed at the main station, though it has been 
retired from active service. The Department has now expanded its fleet 
to include a variety of modern vehicles capable of responding to any 
emergency.
  The Department now employs an extremely diverse group of members. 
Still relying exclusively on volunteers, members range in age from 
teenage recruits to veteran members, some of whom have been on the job 
since nearly the beginning. William E. Morgan is the longest serving 
member in the Department's history with sixty-seven years of 
firefighting in Wilton under his belt. Mr. Morgan, along with the rest 
of the Wilton volunteer firefighters, serve their community 
exceptionally. On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, I 
am honored to recognize and thank the Wilton Volunteer Fire Department 
on their 75th anniversary.

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