Bennington Battle Day 2021

13-15, 2021

Board of Engineers

Jim joined the Bennington Fire Department in August of 1991 and has been a member of the Eagle Hose Company #4 for 30 years. Within the company, and before he became Deputy Chief of the Department, Jim has held the ranks of: Lieutenant for six years, and Captain for 12 years. This past January Jim was voted in as Chief of the Bennington Fire Department. He has completed Hazardous Material and Operations Level, Essentials, Vehicle Extrication, Advanced Fire Behavior (Flashover), NIMS 100 and NIMS 200, First Aid, CPR, and AED, EVOC, Fundamentals of Radiological Monitors, Blood-Borne Pathogens and Lukus Hydraulic Technician Course.

Jim is also on many teams at the Fire Department, such as Fire Prevention Team, Deacon Team and Bennington Battle Day Committee. He is also a member of the Vermont State Firefighters’ Association and Bennington County Mutual Aid.

Jim works at Energizer in Bennington and resides in Woodford with his wife, Lauri.

First of all, Jim would like to thank his wife for being so supportive, and for all of her understanding for all the time he is away on calls and training to do what he needs to do. Jim is greatly honored to be part of the Bennington Fire Department and to serve as their Chief.

Jeff joined the Bennington Fire Department in 1979 at the ripe age of 21. He has been a member of the Eagle Hose Company for 42 years and during that time he has held positions as 2nd Lieutenant and Lieutenant. Most recently, Jeff was elected Assistant Chief of the Department he is also on the Bylaws and Battle Day Committees. Though his involvement has varied over the years, Jeff has helped raise his four children and managed a business. He jumped back into service with both feet. Jeff has completed Firefighter Essentials, Emergency Vehicle Operator Course, Initial I Investigators for Responders, Traffic Incident Management, ICS 100 and ICS 200, Fire Ventilat and Flow Path Control, Heartsaver, First Aid, CPR Aid, Hazardous Material Awareness Operations and Wildland Fire Control. In June of this 2019, Jeff completed the nationally recognized Firefighter I and Firefighter II courses.

Jeff would like to thank his wife and family for their unending support over the years. Thank you also to all of the other firemen for their time, dedication and service. Jeff considers it a privilege to serve the Bennington Community.

Nathan

Chief

Nathan joined the fire service in June of 2002. Over the year’s before being elected to Assistant Chief, he held several other positions such as Safety officer, Lieutenant, and Captain. Most recently holding the office of Lieutenant of the Eagle Hose Co #4.

Nathan has completed several different state and federal courses, such as Firefighter 1, Hazardous Materials operations, Advanced Fire behavior, Rapid Intervention, Emergency Vehicle operation, Ice water rescue, vehicle stabilization, and FEMA (NIMS) 100/200/700.

Nathan works at NSK in Bennington, raises 5 children and lives with his wife in Bennington.

Nathan would like to thank his family, employer and coworkers for their never-ending support for him to serve his community. Thank you to his father for sparking his interest into the fire service. To the men and women past and present who have served beside him. A very special Thank you to Chief Ed Myers of the North Bennington Fire Department for taking a leap of faith in him and believing in him all those years ago.

Nathan is very grateful & honored to be a part of the Bennington Fire Department and to serve as the Assistant Chief.

Dedicated to the late Thomas H. Jacobs

Thomas H. Jacobs, 74, an extraordinary husband, father, grandfather, attorney and friend unexpectedly on Wednesday April 1, 2020 while doing what he loved, enjoying an afternoon bike ride.

He was born in St. Albans, Vermont, the son of the late Dr. Howard H. Jacobs and Margaret (Keeney) Jacobs. Tom received his early education in St. Albans, and later graduated from the University of Vermont and Suffolk Law School in Boston, MA.

Live life like a 3-1 count

In 1967 Tom married his wife Lee in ST. Albans, VT. Over the past 52 years they shared the joy of family, love and friendship with each other. Together they wholeheartedly supported each other’s many adventures & endeavors. Following their marriage, they moved to Bennington where he was employed at the Union Carbide Corporation for one year. After graduating from law school, they returned to the Bennington community where Tom clerked with the firm of Barber,

Gilman & Morrissey. He then opened his own practice on Union Street and moved to 207 West Main in 1988 forming the firm Jacobs, McClintock & Scanlon. The last 8 years he enjoyed a “boutique” practice, Jacobs Law Offices, LLC at 204 South Street. Tom especially enjoyed his many years as legal counsel for Southwestern Vermont Health Care. He was admired and respected by many for his peaceful demeanor, listening ear and fairness. Tom loved his profession and his community, guiding clients through their legal matters and serving on the former Bennington School Board, the Bennington Select Board and in the leadership positions on the boards of many nonprofit organizations. Tom was especially honored to be elected chairman for four of his six years of service on the Select Board. He was passionate and caring, dedicated to making Bennington a better place for all.

As an avid cyclist his most memorable adventures include riding in the L’etape du Tour in France, the Sacramento double century ride, mountain biking in Utah and biking the length of Vermont several times with friends. In earlier years he enjoyed the triathlon circuit with

his family at the finish line proudly cheering him on!

Tom’s family was his pride and joy. He shared his love of life in all he did with Lee, their daughters and their most prized blessings, their grandchildren. Grampy loved watching their enthusiasm, determination and will to play their sport of the season. He instilled his passion in them from riding bicycles, skiing, spinning, the Red Sox, hiking, vacationing, and making chocolate chip cookies (aka “the cookie monster”). His fun and loveable spirit will be

intertwined in each of them throughout their lives-with the same spark to live life to its fullest.

Those that knew him knew he had an admiration for cars. He loved them not to impress but for the pure joy of keeping them looking sharp and maintaining them to their truest caliber. He loved to go for drives with Lee enjoying the scenic landscape of Vermont and New England.

The Baseballism quote which hangs in Tom’s office, “Live life like a 3-1 count.” Was what he loved and lived by.

HOOK & LADDER COMPANY

TEDD RINALDI CAPTAIN

KEVIN MATTISON

1ST LIEUTENANT

HARRY PERCEY JR

2ND LIEUTENANT

WILLIAM LATOUR

TYLER HOLLISTER

JEFF BERRY

KARI LATOUR

PHIL FRASIER

JOHN POULEN

JAZMINE HOLLISTER

CHAD LATOUR

TIM KINNEY

PUTNAM HOSE COMPANY

CHAD PRENTISS - CAPTAIN

TRAVIS PANNONE –

1ST LIEUTENANT

MIKE WALCZAK –

2ND LIEUTENANT

WILLIAM KINNEY

DONALD MYERS

TOM DEPOLLO

WALTER SABIA

LUCUS HALL

RICHARD KNAPP

RICHARD PRENTISS

ABEL LEBLANC

CARL HULBERT

MARY CRAWFORD

KELLIE WALCZAK

EAGLE HOSE COMPANY

BILL CLARK - CAPTAIN

ELLSWORTH REED1ST LIEUTENANT

ERWIN MATTISON

JOE BARBIC

JOE WASSICK

CHARLES HARVEY

JEFF SANTARCANGELO

DAVE SNOW

JIM SANTARCANGELO

JEFF GAUTHIER

JIM WRIGHT

JASON OLANSKY

STEVE CRAWFORD

BRIAN BILLERT

HOWARD COHEN

MARK SHEA

LIAM DREW

NATHAN BERRES

GABE NILES

IZAIAH RHODES

TOM CLARK

KATHY NILES

STARK HOSE COMPANY

CHRIS DEERY - CAPTAIN

IAN HARRINGTON1ST LIEUTENANT

SCOTT RICHMOND2ND LIEUTENANT

TIM HARRINGTON

JUSTIN KINNEY

KEITH CROSS JR

CYDNEY RICHMOND

EYAN RICHMOND

RICK ROY

JEFF VICKERS

KEVIN PEZANOWSKI

TONY ONORATO

CHRIS LICHVAR

OWEN DOWNING

Bennington Battle Day Weekend of Events

Friday, August 13th

Hot Sausage, Burgers & Hot Dog Lunch

11:00 AM-2:00 PM – Will be able to purchase at the Bennington Fire Station. Served by members of the Bennington Fire Department.

4:00PM -Chicken BBQ-Advance ticket sales only. Tickets available at the fire station or any member of fire department. Tickets may also be purchased at Bennington Tire (Benmont Ave), Buck Stop (Main Street), Big Boys Toys (North Bennington Rd) & Willy’s Variety (Gage ST)

4:00PM – 8:00PM – Battle Day Car Cruise at Fire House

Saturday, August 14th

The 16th Annual Battle day 5K Race

7:30 AM – Registration will be on the Monument Grounds

8:30 AM - The race begins and the children’s fun run follows the 5K

10:00AM - 1:00PM Kids Day back parking lot of fire station

10:00AM- 5:00PM-Reenactors at the Monument

6:00PM – Softball Game between Bennington Fire Department & Bennington Rural – Willow Park

6:00PM – pot luck dinner with the reenactors at the Barn of the Old First Church Bring a dish to share or $8.00 donation

THE SCARLETT CREATION

Sunday, August 15th

10:30 AM – Parade Lineup

12:30 PM – Parade Starts

2:00PM – The Bennington Historical Society will offer a walking tour of Old Bennington led by Jane Radocchia featuring its architecture, it’s history and its evolution from the center of town to a residential/ historic neighborhood. Jane is a local architect, specializing in old houses and an architectural historian. Meet at the Bennington Monument and will conclude at the Old First Church. This program is offered free of charge to the community by the Bennington Historical Society, 2:30PM - Phyllis Chapman will present the Unsinkable Molly Brown at the Old First Church Barn $10.00 Reservations are recommended

2021 Bennington Battle Day Committee

General Chairman: Jim Wright

Secretary: Mary Crawford

Finance Chairman: Jeff Gauthier

Parade Chairman: Richard Knapp

Kid’s Day: Tedd Rinaldi

Shirts & Hats: Jeff Santarcangelo

Reviewing Stand: Bill Kinney & Abel LeBlanc

Food Lunch Tent: John Dow

Battle Day Ad Program: Bennington Banner

Invitations: Richard Knapp

Drive Thru Chicken BBQ: Jeff Gauthier & Dick Prentiss

Raffle: Don Myers & Mary Crawford

Softball Game: John Dow

Car Cruise: Rick Roy

Traffic Control: The Hook & Ladder Company

Current Members of the Bennington Fire Department with 25 or more Years of Service

Erwin Mattison Past Chief 64 Years

Joe Wassick Past Chief 63 Years

Richard Knapp Past Chief 54 Years

Charles Harvey 52 Years

William Kinney 52 Years

Richard Prentiss 52 Years

Donald Myers 51 Years

Abel Leblanc 50 Years

Tom Depollo 47 Years

Carl Hulbert 45 Years

Rick Roy 42 Years

Jeff Santarcangelo Deputy Chief 42 Years

Dave Snow 42 Years

Jeff R Gauthier Past Chief 40 Years

Phil Fraser Past Chief 34 Years

Bill Latour Past Chief 34 Years

Jim Santarcangelo 34 Years

Jason Olansky 30 Years

Jim Wright Chief 30 Years

Steve Crawford Past Chief 29 Years

Tyler Hollister Past Chief 29 Years

John Poulen 29 Years

Chris Deery 29 Years

Harry Percey Jr 28 Years

Tim Harrington 26 Years

Tim Kinney 26 Years

Brian Billert Past Chief 25 Years

Friday, August 13th at the Bennington Fire Station Being served by Bennington Fire Department personnel, not by outside vendors! Choose from: Hot Dog, Hamburger, Sausage (with peppers & onions), French Fries & a Drink 11 am to 2 pm

Friday, August 13th

The Bennington Fire Department

Original Fire Companies’ History

This is an old photo that the Hook and Ladder Company found among their memorabilia. It is believed to have been taken in 1921.

This is an old photo that the Stark Hose Company found among their memorabilia. It is believed to have been taken in 1904.

This is an old photo that the Putnam Hose Company found among their memorabilia. It is believed to have been taken in 1941.

This is an old photo that the Eagle Hose Company found among their memorabilia. It is believed to have been taken in 1916.

THE AMERICAN LEGION

225 Nor thside Dr Bennington, V T

The members of Bennington Post No. 13, Sons of American Legion with Auxiliar y Members, and American Legion Riders welcome all firemen and their families to Bennington during this festive, historic and professional weekend.

We hope that you plan to visit Post #13 on Nor thside Drive during our period of being open to the public, which includes all operating hours from Friday, August 13th at 6pm until Sunday, August 15th at 6pm. Friday, August 13th 7-10pm Flashpoint Saturday, August 14th 7-10pm

The Julie Shea Band Sunday, August 15th, af ter the parade, Free Buf fet

R EPAIR

The Bennington Fire Department would like to extend their sympathies to the families of all members that passed away during the last two years

Merton Cross ................ Past Chief ........... Hook & Ladder Company

Jim Feeney ................................................ Eagle Hose Company

Tom Tucker Laflamme ............................ Putnam Hose Company

Ralph M. Coyne ........................................ Putnam Hose Company

Albert Elwell ............................................ Stark Hose Company

Robert Rogalski ........... Past Chief ........... Eagles Hose Company

Douglas Saunders .................................... Eagles Hose Company

Harold Weaver ......................................... Eagles Hose Company