Today, I attended the first ever Conway Fire Department Reunion in Conway.   While the CFD goes back much further than the early 50s, that where we started as we were taken through a photographic and video journey of the history of the department up through 2020.

I was born in Conway in 1949 and my Daddy, Julian G. Mishoe, was a firefighter there.  I was blessed as a youngster to get to spend the night with my Dad at the firehouse and ride the truck with him.  That was back when liability was not given a thought.  He would drive the truck to the fire and the other volunteers would join him at the fire in their private vehicles.  I developed my love of the fire service as I stood on the tailboard and watched them work from a distance.  In addition to my own Daddy, I was fortunate to grow up being taken care of by the likes of Chief S.E. “Tubby” Hendrick, Asst. Chief George McKoy, Asst. Chief Don Anderson, and Firefighter Ben Dorman.  They were my heroes then and they all live in my memory as my heroes now.

Today’s presentation, by retired Chief Tony Hendrick and current Chief Lee Hendrick, was full of photos of fires, station activities, parades, training, natural disasters, and other events that have shaped the history of this great department.  Adding “icing on the cake” were numerous videos that had been created from old film.

We also learned of the growth of the department over the years and met many of the current young firefighters who make up the CFD now.   I wish I could have said to them how lucky they are, being a part of an organization with such rich history and traditions.  But then again, I think they know it and will continue the legacy of so many great people before them.

This was one of my favorite photos from today, my Daddy, J.G. Mishoe, Chief S.E. “Tubby” Hendrick, and Asst. Chief Don Anderson sporting their summer dress uniforms and taken in the early 1960’s in front of their 1956 Ford/American LaFrance fire truck.

Thank you to Chief Tony Hendrick and Chief Lee Hendrick for inviting me to be a part of today. It meant the world to me.

Gerald