Family, friends, and members of the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary came out to help wish Louise “Alice” Long a happy 100th birthday.
Alice didn’t suspect that so many people were gathering for her centennial celebration. Family, friends and old neighbors came from all over the country to help with the surprise.
After her grand arrival, Alice and her guests enjoyed a meal prepared by the Capitol Heights Ladies Auxiliary. Following dinner, Mrs. Judy Lau emceed the presentations. Many honors were presented to Alice for her hundredth birthday and for her seventy years of service in the Capitol Heights Ladies Auxiliary. Alice was presented with a letter and a picture from President and Mrs. Bush. Proclamations from the state and town governments were also presented.
CHVFDLA President Vivian Morgan presented Alice with a gold Maltese cross charm. The ladies thanked Alice for her friendship, guidance, and loving care throughout the years they have known her.
Chief James McClelland wished Alice a happy birthday and Lt. Sam Minor presented her with a dozen red roses on behalf of the department. Chief McClelland also thanked Alice for her seventy years of service to the department, which included firefighting during WWII when most of the department members were overseas. She was presented with a certificate and a helmet by President Robert McClelland, Sr. Alice was named an honorary firefighter by the department.
The PGCVFRALA presented Alice with cards and gift cards. Deputy Chief Bob Russell also read a letter from Chaplain Warren Litchfield.
Family and friends stepped up to the mic to share stories about Alice. One family member also presented Alice with one of the original ladies auxiliary pins that they found in some family belongings. After the presentations and stories were shared, Alice spoke to everyone and thanked them for a great day. She was excited to see so many people that she’d lost touch with over the years. Selfless as always, she encouraged them to come talk to her if they needed anything and that she was always around to help. She expressed her love for everyone gathered and the group answered back with their love and a standing ovation.
The afternoon wrapped up with a slideshow of Alice’s life and the serving of Alice’s birthday cake. This was an afternoon to remember – We wish Alice a very happy birthday and thank her for all of her hard work and dedication to our department and its members.
More About Alice’s Service to the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department and Her Community
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.
» Also: Alice Long Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from the Governor
» Also: Centenarian Cited for 70 Years of Volunteer Service