Local News
Tom Boland one of three grand marshals for July 11th parade
By Sharon E. Siegel
Jun 29, 2009, 08:07 PST

Tom Boland, a 60-year member of the Port Jervis Fire Department as of this year, says he is “absolutely enthralled” with the honor of serving as Co-Grand Marshall of the department’s 159th Annual Inspection Day Parade this July 11th.

“To have this happen to me is absolutely the greatest,” said Boland, when contacted at his home in Bedford, Virginia, where he has lived for the past five years.

Boland, who was born in Port Jervis in 1931, said he joined the department immediately upon becoming eligible at age 18. He chose Delaware Engine Company #2 as his company because he had always wanted to be part of a pumper company. He immediately assumed a very active role.

Over his decades off membership, Boland alternately filled many leadership roles within his company, including serving as president, secretary, and treasurer.

Among his favorite memories with the department is a special former parade honor. After joining the fire department in 1949, Boland became a member of the Navy two years later. He remembers coming home on a brief leave in 1952 and being invited by his company to carry the U.S. flag in that summer’s Annual Inspection Day Parade.

“This meant a lot to me to wear my fire department uniform and carry our country’s flag,” said Boland, who served aboard the U.S.S. Alt DD698 from 1951-1954, during the Korean War Era.

During his military service, Boland, among other duties, patrolled the Mediterranean Sea, cruised around the world at least once, and made more than 100 loaves of bread daily as one of two bakers for his ship.

Boland remembers many significant emergency responses during his years with the fire department. Perhaps closest to home, however, was a mid-1960’s fire in his own store, Boland’s Men’s Store.

The store had initially operated under the ownership of Boland’s father from a Pike Street building currently housing Flynn’s Liquor Store. Tom took over ownership upon his father’ death in 1962, and was operating the business in the center of downtown when the fire occurred.

“The whole inside burned, but we were able to save it and reopen it,” recalled Boland. “In fact, I believe that building was most recently used as a pool hall.”

Boland, who served an equal number of years as an Elk, said he has made lifelong friends through his volunteer service.

“Don McLaughlin, Walt Babey, Phil Cherry, Franklin Gordon, Bob Levin. These are just a few of the good friends, I made,” he said. “I liked being very active, and I had a lot of fun doing it.”

Although his wife Mary Ellen (whose own father had served as a fire chief in Unionville) passed away prior to his move to Virginia, Boland’s son will in attendance at this year’s parade.

“I can’t put into words how much this means to me,” said Boland. “I can’t wait.”