Family and friends of Louise “Alice” Long proudly participated in the 23rd Annual Governor’s Volunteer Service Award Ceremony on Wednesday, April 26, 2006, at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. Alice was one of the honorees chosen from 228 nominations from throughout the state of Maryland.
Governor Robert Ehrlich recognized Alice for her lifetime achievements and her faithful service to the community. Alice, who will be celebrating her 100th birthday on June 15, 2006 is still an active part of the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. He presented Alice with an engraved pewter plate while members of the audience honored Alice with a standing ovation. Maryland State Fireman’s Association Ladies Auxiliary President Barbara McWilliams also presented Alice with a certificate for her 70 years of service.
Since she joined the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary in 1936, Alice has been active in the workings of the organization. She has held various positions within the organization, including two terms as President in 1966 and 1967. In addition, Alice held the office of Treasurer for thirty (30) years. Alice has helped raise funds to purchase fire apparatus and equipment and to help build at least two (2) fire stations. During World War II, Alice and other members of the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary were trained to fight fires to augment staffing since so many volunteer firefighters had been called to service in the military.
Alice has served the Ladies Auxiliary to the Prince George’s County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association and the Maryland State Fireman’s Association – Ladies Auxiliary for many years. In 1996 she was awarded a sixty (60) year service pin from the Ladies Auxiliary to the Prince George’s County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association and was inducted in to that organization’s Hall of Fame. A special pin was designed for this occasion, since the organization had never had a member with sixty (60) years of service. Alice was awarded the “Honey Award” in June 2000 from the Maryland State Fireman’s Association. In September 2006, a new service pin will be designed to recognize Alice’s 70 years of dedicated and faithful service.
We are proud of Alice and are grateful for her hard work and dedication to the members of the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department and its Ladies Auxiliary.