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Punxsy Fire Department salutes Arnie Dunmire for 52 years of service |
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Written by Tom Chapin
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Monday, 23 November 2009 |
The Punxsutawney Fire Department and Police saluted Arnold L. Dunmire (far right) for his 52 years of service. Mayor James Wehrle (far left) also proclaimed Sunday as "Arnold L. Dunmire Day" in the borough. Also on hand Sunday were Dunmire's wife, OmaJoye (second from left), and Denise Williams, president of the Punxsutawney Fire Police. (Photo by Tom Chapin)
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Arnold Dunmire joined the Punxsutawney Fire Department the same day he resigned — 52 years later, of course.
Sunday, members of the department and the Punxsutawney Fire Police saluted Dunmire for his 52 years of service.
He joined the department March 9, 1957. He resigned March 9, 2009, and accepted a Life membership at the Central Fire Department.
Mayor James Wehrle presented Dunmire with a plaque and a certificate proclaiming Nov. 22, 2009, as "Arnold L. Dunmire Day" in the borough.
"I joined because I wanted to be helpful to people in need," said Dunmire, who was accompanied by his wife of 53 years, OmaJoye. "A fire is a need."
The couple recalled the Christmas Eve fire of 1971. The family had been driving around, looking at Christmas lights at different houses after a previous event to which Dunmire wore a new suit.
Soon after the call came in, OmaJoye told her husband he "wasn't wearing that suit" to the fire. He wore it anyway.
The fire, which destroyed the Jordan Furniture Company, Freelee's, Sherwin Williams, the Dinsmore Printing Company and the Gardiner Candy Store the night of Dec. 24, 1971, along East Mahoning Street caused an estimated $431,000 in damage, according to the Dec. 27, 1971, edition of The Spirit.
That fire was the fourth major fire in Punxsy in five weeks.
Moreover, the fire consumed many hours — right around Christmas — for the responding firefighters.
"I didn't see him for about two days," OmaJoye said of her husband.
Dunmire — who may continue to attend department meetings and functions as a Life member — said his years as a firefighter wouldn't have been possible without his wife's support.
"If it hadn't been for her, I probably wouldn't have gotten out of bed" for late calls, he said.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 24 November 2009 )
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