Highlands First Aid Squad Celebrates 90 Years of Volunteer Service

This article first appeared in Muriel’s blog, www.venividiscripto.com

HIGHLANDS – It was a celebration for the young and the old, for the nine months to 90 years, as the Highlands First Aid Squad celebrated 90 years of volunteer service to the borough at a gala celebration that attracted more than 150 people Sunday to the First Aid Building on Valley St.

  Mayor Carolyn Broullon presented the squad with a plaque celebrating and honoring those 90 years of dedicated service, and declared it Highlands First Aid Squad Day in the borough. She also read the resolution at the regular council meeting last night. The Rev. Martin McGrail blessed squad members and led prayers for their continued safety and dedication to providing life saving measures for residents not only of Highlands but the surrounding area  as well. 

    Mayor Loretta Gluckstein of Atlantic Highlands was on hand with her mother, Georgette, to offer congratulations to the volunteers, and numerous representatives of the local fire department including the Fire Chief and all officers as well as numerous members, and volunteers from the Fair Haven and Sea Bright first aid squads also joined in the celebratory afternoon.

      Alexa Peera, at 22 the youngster member of today’s squad, was present to hear the history and stories of decades past and Wallace Hartsgrove was the oldest active volunteer on hand. Squad members praised the oldest life member, Fred Katz, who at 94 sent his congratulations but was unable to attend. Katz is one of the famed Katz brothers who had several businesses in the borough for decades, including the still popular  Katz Confectionary.

    Highlands Police Officer James Trippett, on behalf of Local PBA  48 of  Sea Bright and Highlands police officers, presented a check for $990 to the squad in honor of the 90 years. The squad’s fund raising efforts this year are suggesting donations of  multiples of 90…cents, dimes, dollars, hundreds, etc. to commemorate the anniversary year. While Sunday’s event was not a fund raiser, many guests did make donations to the squad, with funds used for the general upkeep and maintenance of equipment and facilities. The Squad continues to have tee shirts, cups and badges for sale that commemorate 90 years. The products are available at prices from $5 to $20 and are available through any first aid member or at the squad building.

  Squad President Jay Terwilliger and his daughter, Kaylee, both received praise and awards from the Lions Club. Terwilliger for his years of service to the squad on a daily basis and Kaylee for her life saving efforts for her father last year.

Members of the squad include: Jay Terwilliger,  Bill Mount,  Marci Mount,  Rosemary Ryan,  Cody Valkos,  Cara Ryan,  Nicole Zieglar,  Chris Francy,  Ed Cetron,  Larry Chesal,  Neriko Doerr,  Nancy Tran,  and Bryan Foeri. 

   The Squad has received a film show created by Larry Chesel and commemorating all the events, activities and people who celebrated the day.

Related: See facebook videos on the Highlands First Aid Squad page