Firefighters remember their own

A personalized Chariton Volunteer Fire Department flag holder and flag mark the grave of Ephriam Badger in Waynick Cemetery, southwest of Chariton.

In Lucas County, one way to ensure that you'll be remembered on Memorial Day for a very long time is to join the Chariton Volunteer Fire Department, an outstanding organization that's been around at least since the mid-1870s.

The department's distinctive flag holders mark the graves of firefighters dating back to the beginning and each Memorial day, a small red departmental flag is placed in each --- not only in the Chariton Cemetery but also in rural cemeteries near Chariton where volunteer firefighters are buried.

The photographs here of Ephraim Badger's flag holder and flag were taken at Waynick Cemetery, a couple of miles southwest of town.

Cemeteries once were dotted on Memorial Day with the commemorative flags of many organizations, but this year I noticed in addition to the U.S. flags that fly at every veteran's grave only the fire department flags and those of the Chariton Eagles lodge. Flag holders placed in earlier years by organizations such as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Rebekahs, the Knights of Pythias and the Pythian Sisters remain empty.

All of the firefighters so honored would certainly recall the vintage pumper depicted on one side of the fire department flags as Old Betsy, the Silsby steam fire engine that has served the department since 1883, first as working equipment and now as prized mascot. I've seen Old Betsy circle the square during Christmas lights parades behind a team of horses, fired up and throwing sparks and steam. She's quite a sight!