MOUNT VERNON — “They always came when called,” Mayor Richard Mavis said of the five Mount Vernon firefighters who were honored during a memorial ceremony at the Mount Vernon Fire Department on Friday afternoon.
“And in the very end, they came when called,” he said of Milton Parrott, Ralph Simpson and Lloyd Squires, three MVFD firefighters who were killed in the line of duty in 1925 while battling a fire at the Knox Oil Co., near the Kokosing River viaduct.
MVFD Chief Shawn Christy said 18-year-old Squires was killed instantly when a gasoline tank exploded, blasting flaming fuel and shrapnel onto a group of firefighters and burning several of the men.
Simpson, who was 50 at the time of the fire on that Sept. 14, and Parrott, age 35, ran and jumped into the river to submerge their burned bodies in the cool water. Simpson died later that day. Parrott succumbed to his injuries eight days later.
Christy and Assistant Chief Chris Menapace said no permanent memorial had ever been created to honor the three firefighters who gave their lives over 85 years ago protecting their community. Members of the department felt the men should be honored, no matter how many years have passed since their deaths.
“I think it’s important to honor and show tribute and to remember,” Christy said. “I wanted to formally recognize the firefighters who have given the ultimate sacrifice to this department and this community.”
“This is a permanent way which will carry on for the future,” Menapace said of the plaque bearing the names of the firefighters which has been placed on a memorial wall in the firehouse.
Firefighter Joe Laymon and Paramedic Coordinator Don Wilson, both of whom died while they were active members of the department, were also honored at the memorial ceremony, and a plaque with their names inscribed was also placed on the memorial wall.
“This job is so family oriented, and we are a family,” Menapace said. “When somebody who’s on the roster dies, it really impacts the ones who are left.”
“They left an impact on all of the guys they worked with,” Christy said of Laymon and Wilson.
Laymon, a member of the MVFD for over 15 years, was killed when he was struck by falling timber while off duty. He was 43 and left two young sons, who as adults have gone on to also become firefighters. Josh is a Columbus firefighter, and Jay is a MVFD lieutenant. Both were at Friday’s ceremony, along with their wives and children; Joe’s widow, Jane Laymon Kasper; and Joe’s father, Don.
“A tribute is always an honoring thing and a humbling thing for all of us,” Kasper said of the memorial ceremony. “It’s a great feeling to know that his work is still remembered and appreciated.”
Jane said the ceremony was important for her six grandchildren who attended, even though they may be too young to comprehend the meaning of the speeches and rituals of the ceremony.
“His grandchildren have all heard stories, and of course we all talk about him, but this makes him real to them. That he was a real guy, just like the rest of these guys,” she said of the dozens of firefighters who filled the firehouse.
Mount Vernon resident Susan Spurgeon was an invited guest. A descendant of Parrott, she brought two of her grandchildren, 6-year-old Atlanta Spurgeon and 5-year-old Colton Spurgeon, children of MVFD firefighter Joe Spurgeon.
Susan said she was glad to attend the ceremony, which she appreciated not only as a lover of history, but also because she appreciated the honor shown to her great-uncle, whom she heard about from her aunt and uncle while growing up.
“I remember them talking about it a long time ago, about them losing a family member and how painful it was,” she said. “They didn’t talk about it much because it was so painful.”
The family of Don Wilson experienced the pain of losing their loved one last May, when he passed away from colon cancer at the age of 53. Several members of the family said they were touched by the ceremony and the continued support of his firefighting “families” at the MVFD and the Fredericktown Fire Department. Wilson was a member of both departments for several years.
Wilson’s 14-year-old son, Zach, said he thought the ceremony was important.
“It was kind of sad, but they did a great job,” he said of the speakers and firefighters. Wilson’s wife, Lori, and 18-year-old daughter, Kirstie, said they were moved by the afternoon’s events.
“I was glad a lot of people showed up, I didn’t expect it to be this big,” Kirstie said of the ceremony which she said did an excellent job of honoring the firefighters.
Wilson’s mother, Joni Hamilton, and sister, Rebecca Doup, sat with a large group of his extended family, recalling memories of Wilson’s life with the fire department, and the enormous love he had for his job, his fellow firefighters, and the community he served.
“Don loved the fire department, it was so important to him,” Joni said. “We thank both fire departments so much for what they’ve done for us.”
The sense of family at Friday’s event was evident among not only the invited family members, but among the firefighters themselves, many of whom had not seen each other in some time.
“It goes to show you what kind of impact this type of ceremony has on our industry,” Menapace said.
Many retired members of the MVFD enjoyed the event, and Christy said it was important to have those members attend. All members who had retired since 1983 received invitations, according to the chief.
“We want them to know they are welcome here,” he said. “Once a member, always a member.”
He said it was good for younger firefighters to meet some of the retired members they have heard stories about, to put a face with the name. The younger firefighters agreed.
“It was really neat to meet some of the retired firemen who I’ve never met before,” said MVFD firefighter Chad Elser.
“I was impressed with the turnout and enjoyed talking with the retired guys,” MVFD firefighter Nick Cockrell said.
Several county fire chiefs, and city and county officials also attended the ceremony. Several family members and members of the fire service said taking time to remember five men who gave so much to their community was a worthwhile event.
“They left an impact on everyone,” Menapace said.
Over 100 people, including several retired MVFD firefighters attended the ceremony, during which Mavis and Christy gave short speeches, the MVFD Honor Guard marched and gave a short presentation, bagpipes were played by Washington Township firefighter Chad Reed of the Dublin Firefighters Pipes and Drum Corps, and the ceremonial bell was rung for each of the five honored firefighters.
