SHENANDOAH, Pa. — The Schuylkill Historical Fire Society is a familiar stop for firefighters from across the country and Canada.
They were here 10 years ago for a celebration of honor and firefighting heritage. They say, of all of the fire station tours they've done, the stop in Shenandoah was their most memorable. That's why they returned this year.
"Oh yeah, it was unbelievable. Like our guys, I said earlier a couple of minutes ago, we still talk about coming down here. My wife and I decided to come down with three other people from Canada, and we still can't get over the hospitality here like; we've been to maybe 20 different musters now, probably 30 if you combine with the summer ones, and the hospitality of these towns here is unmatched," said Lance Ewan, Former Battalion Chief from Vancouver, Canada.
Mike Kitsock is the museum's curator and a former volunteer. He was emotional that firefighters came back here to celebrate in the community run by volunteer firefighters.
"We're honored. We're truly honored, and some of these people here have devoted their lives to saving lives and property in their communities and it's a very high calling in life."
As part of the celebration, firefighters enjoyed food, drinks, and the Shenandoah All-Star Polka Band. Firefighters said it's a time of camaraderie.
"I don't know what we would do without our volunteers. My brother was a volunteer firefighter, my father was one, and I can't praise them enough because what they do is all volunteer, and they're just, we would be lost in these communities without them," said Judy Mehlbaum, Volunteer from Giradville.
With the shortage of volunteer firefighters in the community, volunteer Judy Mehlbaum said she hopes to see more young people continue the firefighting legacy in Schuylkill County.
"But every 10 years here would be fantastic because 10 years is quite a long time between, but you forget things in 10 years, and if they could keep pulling this off every 10 years, it's fine with me," added Ewan.