[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5650]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MIDDLETOWN VOLUNTEER FIRE 
                        AND RESCUE COMPANY, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 5, 2017

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 75th anniversary of 
the Middletown Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, Inc. in Frederick 
County, Virginia. Established in April of 1942, the Company formed in 
response to a devastating fire that nearly destroyed an entire block in 
Middletown, including the land where the Fire Station stands today. The 
original membership of the Company of a mere twenty-two has nearly 
tripled over the past 75 years. I would like to personally commend the 
courageous men and women who so selflessly volunteer their time and put 
themselves in danger on behalf of their neighbors, friends, and 
strangers, without asking for anything in return.
  Through both exemplary leadership and community support, the 
Middletown Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company has grown exponentially 
since its inception in 1942. Under the longtime leadership of Fire 
Chief Emeritus Henry Shiley, who only recently retired after 53 years 
of service, the Company transformed into a full-service emergency 
relief unit, and I have great confidence that the Company will continue 
to prosper under Chief Mark Dalton. Additionally, one support 
organization that has contributed to the growth of the Company 
immensely is the Lady Auxiliary, which formed in 1943 with the 
intention of providing both financial and moral support to the Company. 
Over the years, they have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars 
through community events and fundraisers, and their service to the 
Company is invaluable.
  Today the Middletown Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, which in 1942 
only had one firetruck, is now a full service Company that protects the 
lives and properties of individuals from fires, accidents, illnesses 
and other emergencies in the Town of Middletown, Frederick County, and 
the surrounding vicinity.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding the 
Middletown Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, Inc. for their years of 
selfless service and heroism and to again congratulate them on this 
tremendous milestone. I wish them all the best in all of their future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________