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"Play Ball!"

MLB play begins this week.  So here are some ballgame memories from HFD's past.

Who is this slugger (a couple of years before we worked with him)? CLICK and find out.
Softball 1959 - Trophy Presentation with our own John O'Hare, second from left. For years, John was a coach of HFD's softball team. Lots of good times!
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The Story of Our Flag Goes on the Road
11/9/10 - Mark Barletta and Dave Johnson display WWII-era 48-star flag at Parkman Elementary School in Enfield (Kita photo)
Mark receives $100 donation to HFRA from Carolyn Kita, President of the Parkman P.T.O.

Last Fourth of July, the New Haven Register ran an article about the 50th anniversary of the 50-star flag that featured Mark Barletta and Dave Johnson discussing the history of the American flag. Carolyn Kita was inspired.  Carolyn is the President of the Edgar Parkman Elementary School P.T.O. in Enfield.  She wanted the students at Parkman to know more about the history of the American flag, so she contacted Mark and Dave to ask if they would visit Parkman to tell the story of the flag.

On Tuesday, November 9th, the two members of the H.F.R.A. drove to Enfield with their flags and gave two presentations before the students and teachers at Parkman.  The reaction was amazing.  And the P.T.O. generously donated $100 to the H.F.R.A.

Following the presentation, Mrs. Kita wrote in an email to the HRFA, "On behalf of Parkman, we can not extend our appreciation and gratitude enough to [Dave and Mark].  Several of the teachers approached me at the end of the school day voicing their appreciation as well.  I received e-mails from parents as well that their children found the presentation very interesting.  I must say the students really enjoyed seeing your collection of flags and hearing the history.  Clearly your presentation will have a life long impression on our Parkman community."

We thank the Parkman P.T.O. for their generous donation and for the opportunity to speak to their students about the Flag.

Posted 11/18/10
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(Photo courtesy of John O'Hare)

This late-1950s photo shows the trophy presentation following a benefit softball game between Hamden's fire and police departments.  Left to right:  John O'Hare and B/C Everett Doherty from the fire department, and Dan Liston, Chief Bob Thatcher and Jack Sarracco from the police department.
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Greater New Haven Firemen's Softball League Picnic - September 1960 (Photo courtesy of John O'Hare)

Seven Hamden firefighters and one future Hamden firefighter pose with other members of the 1960 Greater New Haven Firemen's Softball League in this end of season photo taken behind the Montewese fire station in North Haven.

1) Ray Bantz   2) Carmen Amarante   3) Art Heriot   4) Luke Tobin   5) Bob "Ace" Callahan
6) John O'Hare   7) Kevin O'Hare (who will join the HFD 27 years later)   8) Sal "Cookie" Ferraro
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Sports Night - February 1962 - Hull's Brewery Rathskeller in New Haven
CLICK PHOTO to enlarge
Standing (L-R): Warren Blake, Ray Bantz, "Cookie" Ferraro, Mickey Cantarella, Hugh McLean, Gerry Wolf, John McKee, Stan Brown, Joe McDermott, Vinnie Roth, Dick Stacey (on chair behind Vinnie), Luke Tobin.
 
Seated (L-R): Emil Strain, Larry Bellemore, Francis Leddy, Joe Hromadka, Unknown, Unknown, Dick Carney, Joe Rahl, Dave Herrmann, Clem Kammerer, Carmen Amarante, and Tom Doherty.
 
Joe McDermott says that not all of the guys in the picture were Hamden firemen, which may account for the unknowns. Any corrections or additional identifications would be appreciated.
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