The “Inside the Fire Station – Member Spotlight" this week is Darlene Neal. Darlene has been with us so long; her name is synonymous with the Chestertown VFC. She joined the fire company Ladies’ Auxiliary, as best she can recollect, somewhere about 1969. Darlene has been with us so long, most members, including this writer, a long-time Life Member, do not remember a time when she wasn’t there.

When it comes to the Chestertown VFC, she is “All-In”! She is supportive of all our activities, doing whatever is needed, whatever she can do, to ensure our success. During her time here, Darlene has served many terms as Auxiliary President and as Auxiliary Secretary.

Throughout the years, whenever we’ve been working a large, time-consuming, dirty, gritty, emergency incident, we could count on Darlene to show up with the Auxiliary, providing food and refreshments. It was as sure as the rising sun! Speaking from experience, to see the Auxiliary show up with water, coffee, sandwiches, etc.? It was, and is, a welcome respite from the grind of mitigating the situation. While the food and refreshments succor the body, the accompanying banter with the women and men of the Auxiliary is like a shot in the arm. It certainly boosts morale, providing the impetus to get back in there, and finish the job.

While all of us in the fire company are close associates with a common bond, linked by firefighting activities, many of us are also close friends. Darlene’s light-hearted, easygoing, friendly manner endears herself to all, no matter how long you’ve known her. While it could be this writer, that’s known her for close to fifty years, or literally someone she’s just meeting for the first time, her ability to set at-ease everyone is remarkable. This writer has seen it first-hand, where at large, working incidents, firefighters from some remote company we rarely work with, if at all, come to get food & refreshment. Not knowing them from Adam, she greets them with open arms, putting them at-ease, encouraging them to rest and relax. Within seconds, there are smiles and joking all-around.

Darlene is born & raised Chestertown. Along with husband Bruce, they live in Kingstown Manor, across the bridge. Bruce is considered the longest tenured Fire Chief in the history of the Chestertown VFC. He has been elected to more terms as Chief than any other. Darlene and Bruce have two children, Jamie and Brian. Brian works in Easton, and commutes daily. Tragically, Jamie passed away in the late 80’s. Jamie’s loss is still keenly felt by Darlene, Bruce, and all that were privileged to know him, and call him friend.

After working as a hairdresser and at Ellen’s Coffee Shop here in Chestertown, Darlene is enjoying semi-retirement. In her leisure time, she enjoys porch sitting with family, taking their camper on trips, spending time at the Rock Hall American Legion, where she continues her practice of helping as much as possible. When not busy with all these other activities, she comes here to the Chestertown fire station and helps.

Please join us in congratulating Darlene on her long history with the fire company, and express our gratitude for her service and sacrifice.