Despite some rainy weather, Summer Bash 2024 in Walnutport carried on in great tradition.

On Saturday, a special dedication and memorial service was held by members of the Diamond Fire Company along with guests from many other area fire departments.

Michael Wentz, fire chief at the Diamond Fire Company, was master of ceremonies. .

“Today is a day of remembrance,” Wentz said, addressing the crowd. “Today is a day to rejoice. Today is a day we may laugh, we may cry. We decided to do this in our home association Annual Summer Bash to remember our past members, to dedicate two new pieces of apparatus, and to rejoice and bring together old friends and make new friends.”

The Rev. Brian Haas, pastor of Christ UCC of Walnutport and a member of the Diamond Fire Company gave the invocation and benediction. Other speakers at the ceremony included Larry Merkle, past president and fire chief; Wayne Weidner, president of the Diamond Fire Co., and Michael Gaston, president of the Walnutport Borough Council.

Two fire company trucks were dedicated: a Salisbury Rescue Pumper was rededicated to late fire chief Kelton Wentz. Jennifer Wentz, wife of current Fire Chief Michael Wentz, christened the pumper with a bottle of Champagne, with the help of firefighters Bryce Greene and Kyle Kromer.

The second truck, a 2024 Bulldog/International Special Services Unit, was dedicated to the Past, Present, and Future, with members of the Diamond Fire Company christening the trucks three times.

Larry Merkle, past president and fire chief for the Diamond Fire Company, re-christened the bell that was installed in front of the fire hall. The bell was first installed in 1915 in the bell tower of the previous fire company building. A fire in 2014 destroyed the building, but the bell was put into storage until its rededication.

“We are gathered here today to dedicate our restored bell in memory of all past fire company members and in honor of present members whose hard work and leadership has brought us to where we are today,” Merkle said as he christened the restored bell.

The names of 24 members of the Diamond Fire Company who passed away over the years were read, and the bell was rung after each name. Family members of some of them rang the bell in their honor.

In addition, nine more name were read, friends of the Diamond Fire Dept, all members from other fire departments who have passed away.

Diamond Fire Company members who were remembered: Raymond “Sockey” Yenser, past board member; Kelton “Kelly” Wentz, past financial secretary/fire chief for 25 years; William “Billy” Roth, past board member, assistant fire chief; Paul Weaver, past board member, assistant fire chief; Earl “Pappy” Evert Sr., past board member; Daniel “Danny” Stankovic, past board member; William “Bill” Anthony, past board member; June Williams, past treasurer; Paul “PB” Benninger, past board member, fire chief; Sherwood “Bunky” Wentz, past president/assistant fire chief for 50-plus years; Steven Ruch, past president, firefighter;

George Pascoe, past fire police officer; Robert “Bob” Walper, past fire police lieutenant

Kelly Lee Wentz, past board member; William “Bill” Redline, past secretary; Clarence Reph, past president, financial secretary, and board member; William Ingles, past firefighter; Henry Kline, past board member; Charles Fritz, past board member, assistant fire chief;

Joan Rehrig, past fire police officer; Joseph “Charlie” Drunkenmiller, past photographer;

Ossville “Ozzie” Paules, past vice president, board member; Earl “Buddy” Snyder, past board member, firefighter, and Susan Schneck, past ladies auxiliary president and treasurer.

Special friends of the Diamond Fire Department, who were remembered: John “Jack” Kuller, past fire chief, Lehighton Fire Dept.; Gary “Lumpy” Koons, past assistant fire chief, Aquashicola Fire Dept.; Jacob “Jakey” Merkel, past fire chief, president, Friedens Fire Co.; Brenda Horn, past president, Slatedale Fire Co.; Richard “Rich” LeFebvre, past deputy chief, Hatboro Fire DVJA; Jeffrey “Hippy” Phifer, past battalion chief, Deptford, New Jersey; Marvin Gruber, firefighter, and Zachary Paris, assistant fire chief, Community Fire Co., New Tripoli; and John Kalynych, past deputy fire chief, Catasauqua Fire Dept, past EMA director/special operation chief, past Safety Officer, Lower Saucon Fire Dept.

It wasn’t just about the memories. The Diamond Fire Company and Diamond Fire Company Social Hall gave people a chance to enjoy some great food from a food truck featuring Italian sausage sandwiches, kebabs, hamburgers, cheese steaks, and more.

Entertainment included Toolshed Jack on Friday; Prime Cuts Band and American Street Band on Saturday, and The Boondock Barons on Sunday. The American Street Band and Boondock Barons were moved inside the social hall due to the rainy weather.