From Bill Wartenweiler
Monroe
To the editor:
Try to imagine 50 years of volunteerism to a worthy and potentially dangerous cause. For 50 years, Bob Wartenweiler did just that by donating his services to the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department.
Think about the time and effort consumed in weekly meetings, training sessions, practice burns, and fire schools over a span of 50 years. Consider how often the whistle blew for tragic blazes, grass fires, agricultural fires, mutual aid for nearby fire departments and of course false alarms. For 50 years, at any time of the day or night, the siren blew. Other activities include parades, open houses, fundraisers, welcoming home victorious athletes and more, were less perilous yet still time consuming.
You might think the man had no time for anything else. Not true. Bob ran a successful plumbing business were he was known respectfully by workers and other contractors as "The Prez." "In case I have the biggy, this is how I want the job finished," he always said. What he really meant by that was if the whistle blows, I'm out of here and you are on your own. He always parked his vehicle at the job site in position for a quick getaway. The fire department was on his mind constantly.
And so, over 50 years of vigilance, 24 hours a day, 356 days a year, myself and every member of this community say thank you. Well done, brother.
Monroe
To the editor:
Try to imagine 50 years of volunteerism to a worthy and potentially dangerous cause. For 50 years, Bob Wartenweiler did just that by donating his services to the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department.
Think about the time and effort consumed in weekly meetings, training sessions, practice burns, and fire schools over a span of 50 years. Consider how often the whistle blew for tragic blazes, grass fires, agricultural fires, mutual aid for nearby fire departments and of course false alarms. For 50 years, at any time of the day or night, the siren blew. Other activities include parades, open houses, fundraisers, welcoming home victorious athletes and more, were less perilous yet still time consuming.
You might think the man had no time for anything else. Not true. Bob ran a successful plumbing business were he was known respectfully by workers and other contractors as "The Prez." "In case I have the biggy, this is how I want the job finished," he always said. What he really meant by that was if the whistle blows, I'm out of here and you are on your own. He always parked his vehicle at the job site in position for a quick getaway. The fire department was on his mind constantly.
And so, over 50 years of vigilance, 24 hours a day, 356 days a year, myself and every member of this community say thank you. Well done, brother.
