GOSHEN FIRE CHIEF NAMES PARADE MARSHALS
BOXMAN, JONES, BRINKLEY TO ACT AS GRAND MARSHALS
DIVISION MARSHALS ALSO NAMED

Chief Sean P. Thornton of the Goshen Fire Department has released the names of the Goshen Volunteer Firemen chosen to serve in positions of honor for the upcoming Fire Parade and related events. The chief noted that these positions were assigned as a mark of respect and as a thank you to members who had served the department well over the years. He also remarked that he hoped they were as honored to serve as he was honored to name them.

Grand Marshal for the June 10th Fire Parade will be Past Chief Thomas J. Boxman who served as Chief of the Goshen Department from 2002 through 2004. A 25 year resident of Goshen, he became affiliated with the Goshen Department in 1987, by joining the Dikeman Engine and Hose Co. No. 3, Inc. and served in various company and Extrication Team offices from 1987 until 1998, serving as company captain from 1993 to 1998. He served as 2nd Assistant Chief of the Department in 1999 and 2000 and as 1st Assistant Chief in 2001 in addition to his service as Chief of Department.

Tom has two sons, Sean - also a member of the Dikemans and currently serving as Department Extrication Officer, and Kyle, a future Goshen Firefighter. Tom considers it a, "Huge honor" to serve as Grand Marshal of the parade sponsored by, "The best fire department in Orange County."

Chief Thornton noted that the evening Float Parade (also held on June 10th) has become an important, integral part of the Parade festivities in Goshen as he announced that Robert V. Jones had been appointed to serve as Grand Marshal of this event. Mr Jones has resided in Goshen for over fifty years, and has been a member of the Dikeman Engine and Hose Co. No. 3, Inc for 47 years. He also served in many company firematic offices during his years of membership and was elected 2nd Assistant Chief in 1972, 1st Assistant Chief in 1975, and as Chief of Department in April of 1978, serving as the Chief until April of 1981.

Mr Jones and his wife Mary Ann live on South Street and have five children - Barbara, Carol Ann, Robert Jr., Tom, and John. Bob's 47 years of service are certainly worthy of emulation - he still answers calls and is very active in the parade planning and execution.

In naming Scott Brinkley as Grand Marshal of the upcoming Hose Contests, the Chief noted that this event was always a crowd pleaser and a lot of fun for both the spectators and the contestants. Mr Brinkley served as Chief of Department in 2005 after serving in several offices in his home company, the Cataract Engine and Hose Co. No. 1, and as Assistant Chief of the Department. Scott lives with his wife Danielle and three sons - Michael and twins Christopher and Matthew - on Oxford Road in the village.

COMPANIES NAME DIVISION MARSHALS

Traditionally, the Goshen parade consists of three divisions, each led by one of the Goshen companies. This year's event will continue the tradition with the Minisink Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1, Inc leading off the parade. Chief Thornton noted that the Minisinks were given this position of honor in 2006 due to the fact that they were organized as the Minisinks in 1906 and are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. He also explained that, although the Chief names the Grand Marshals, each company is asked to name the person (or persons) they wish to honor in the positions of Division Marshals.

The Minisinks have chosen past chief Steve O'Sullivan to lead the first division. Steve, who resides with his wife Lori at 51 Fletcher Street has been a resident of Goshen for the past 24 years. Steve and Lori have a son, Jim (also a member of the Minisinks) and a daughter Karen, married to Stan Memmelaar.

Past Chief O'Sullivan served as a firematic officer in the Minisinks for ten years prior to being elected to the position of 2nd Assistant Chief of the Department in 1992, 1st Assistant Chief in 1996 and Chief of Department in 1998, serving as the Chief for three years. Still active in the department, Steve still pitches in and serves in whatever capacity that is needed.

The Cataract Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 has opted to honor two of their past presidents as Marshals of the 2nd Division. A veteran officer of the Rockville Centre Fire Department, David Sincerbox, a member of the Cataracts since 1987, has served in several offices in the Cataracts, serving as President from 2000 until 2002. Dave and Jean, his wife of 24 years, have three children - Kenneth and Kevin (both also Cataract members) and a daughter, Katherine.

David also served as a member of the Firehouse Committee and wishes to especially thank his wife and children for their understanding and support during his many years of service.

Serving with David as 2nd Division Marshal is former president Fred Nowak of the Cataracts. Fred has served in most of the Social Offices of the Cataracts since joining the company in 1989, with three years of service as the Company's president. A thirty year resident of Goshen, Fred lives at North Church Street with his wife Sharon and stepson Ryan Osborne ( a member of the Minisinks). His daughter Karen and her husband Drew Brock have two children - Jacob and Austin, and his daughter Linda and her husband Chris Neidig have one child, Andrew. Fred is looking forward to having his grandchildren see him lead the Cataracts.

Chosen by the Dikeman Engine and Hose Co. No. 3 to lead the 3rd Division is Past President Jeff Hunt and Past Captain Mark Knight.

Past President Hunt, a 27 year resident of Goshen has been a member of the Dikemans since 1974 and has seved as both Vice President and President of his company. Jeff also serves the Department as it's Safety Officer and serves Orange County as a member of the Orange County Fire Advisory Board.

One of the Department's "Go to guys" Jeff is always willing to pitch in and help - no matter what the job is.
Past Captain Knight currently lives in Manchester, New Hampshire, having moved there in 2002 after living in Goshen for 24 years. He joined the Dikemans in 1987 and served as a firematic officer in his company from 1995 to 2001, rising to the position of captain in 1999 and serving in that office until 2001.

Mr Knight and his wife Melissa have two sons, Connor and Drew, and are looking forward to returning to Goshen for the parade and related activities.

CHIEF ASKS FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Chief Thornton noted that all of the gentlemen chosen to serve in the various Marshal positions were richly deserving of the honors bestowed upon them and that their appointments were one of the few ways the Goshen Fire Department can recognize and thank it's members.

The Chief went on to state that the Goshen Firefighters have been working nearly a year on the parade and related events and that he, and the rest of the members of his department, hoped that the citizens of Goshen and the surrounding area would turn out and support them at the Contest on June 4th and the two parades on June 10th.