Lest we forget....
T
o honor the memory of one of their own with the unique and historic distinction of being the first recognized female firefighter in the state, members of Red Bank’s Westside Hose Fire Company last week added the date of death to her headstone.The gesture comes 74 years after her death, but firefighters here say her memory lives on in their work today.
JEFF HUNTLEY
Red Bank firefighters Frank Harris and Errico Vescio look on as Joe Lombardi adds the year of death to the headstone of one of the fire company’s own.
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Emma Vernell was born in 1875 and was a lifelong Red Bank resident. Her husband, Harry, was a member of the company until his death in 1926, which was due to injuries he sustained from fighting a fire on Leighton Avenue.
Shortly thereafter Emma Vernell became an active member of the company; and in 1936 she received her firemen’s exemption status from the borough, which entitled her to certain tax and jury duty exemptions. She was acknowledged soon after by the state for her work and dedication to the fire company, making her the first recognized female firefighter in the state.
Vernell died in 1970 at the age of 95, and because she had no immediate family or anyone caring for her at the time of her death, the date was never added to her headstone.
To rectify that, six members of the fire company held a grave-site ceremony last Wednesday at Fairview Cemetery, Middletown, when the date was finally added. This service also corresponds with a restoration project of the building and grounds of the company, where a memorial to Vernell will be established. For Vernell, the fire company and the house and grounds were a very important part of her life, according to Tom Welsh, a company member, and this and the project are a "fitting celebration of her and her life’s work." |
