The Hometown Volunteer Fire Company is remembering the men and women who helped build the department — and made it what it is today.

Volunteers recently created a Memorial Wall inside their 45 Mahanoy Ave. headquarters to pay tribute to late members. It features memorial cards, old photos, plaques, flags, a marching uniform shirt, hats and trophies.

“Our deceased members of the firehouse mean a lot to us, as they formed the foundation of our fire company and helped build it up to what it is today,” said Lindsey Gerhard, a junior firefighter who helped with the memorial’s creation.

The tribute came about as members were updating the station.

Volunteers started by removing dozens of trophies from a display case in the day room. The trophies were shined and moved to a truck bay wall.

“We painted the wall, hung shelves and bolted the displace case that we took off the day room wall to bay wall,” Gerhard said.

With the new space available, members wasted no time in creating the Memorial Wall.

“That day, we placed an order for a flag display case and a sign for their memory,” Gerhard said.

The sign reads, “For those who cannot be here today, but are forever present in our hearts,” and it is placed near a frame holding memorial cards.

Many will recognize the names on the cards: George Pinkey, life member of the fire company and Rush Township supervisor, who passed away in 2012; Robert S. Runk, former fire chief, who passed away in 2023; William Bowman Sr., member who passed away in 2023; and Thomas Slane, state police fire marshal who held memberships in many local and regional firefighting organizations, who passed away in 2024.

They are arranged on a frame that holds a photo of Bill “Skeeter” Arner, a fire company and fire police member, who passed away in 2018.

Gerhard said the fire company also recognizes “Art Bowman, Emerson Musser, Mike Mazur, Mickey Cappos and many more who we remember each and every day.”

The department’s Ladies’ Auxiliary is honored, too.

“We are reminded of their immense contributions and the lasting impact they have had on our community. These dedicated individuals were the backbone of our volunteer fire company, always ready to support and uplift those around them,” reads part of a tribute that Gerhard penned and framed.

“Going forward, we plan to place more trophies on the wall and continue to remember our members and ladies auxiliary members,” Gerhard said.

The wall was created by a host of members including Gerhard, Patrick Burns, Captain 25; Barry Messerschmidt, past chief and trustee; Pierce Grim, junior firefighter; Tara Strauss, firefighter; Joshua Grim Sr., fire police captain; James Stewart, firefighter; and Mike Humes, chief.

The fire department posted about the wall on Facebook, saying: “Their legacy continues to inspire us, and we are proud to recognize those who helped shape the foundation of Hometown Fire Company. Always remembered, never forgotten.”