A Lifetime of Service
Over the past few years, the Washington Fire Volunteer Fire Company has had many reasons to honor past Chief Don Hahne. In September of 2021, a parade and celebration were held to mark his 70th anniversary with the fire service. In January 2022, a drive-by parade was held to celebrate his 90th birthday, and he and his wife Joan also celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. This past month at the annual awards banquet, Chief Hahne was awarded the honor of Life Membership.
Chief Hahne joined the department in 1951 and has held every position in the department, including firefighter, lieutenant, captain, assistant chief, chief, company secretary, and treasurer. He was awarded Firefighter of the Year in 1984, and the local newspaper’s Washingtonian Award in 2013. He is also a longtime member of the FFAM, having served on the board and as its president, a committee member for the Kingdom City Memorial, and has been “instrumental” as the ringleader of the infamous “midnight parade” at the convention this past summer in Washington, as well as many others. In addition to his many other skills, Hahne is an accomplished trumpet player and often is heard performing Taps at military services in the area and is an honorary member of the American Legion Post 218 and VFW 2661.
A plaque on the wall at WFD headquarters features his photo and reads “The Hahne Example- Dedicated to 70 Years of Consistent Leadership and Professional Volunteer Service”. Fellow firefighter and artist Jim Peters created a painting that features Hahne and the four fire trucks used during his career, from the 1935 Dodge to the current 2007 ladder truck in service today. The original painting was presented to Chief Hahne and his family at the 2022 awards banquet.
The Washington Volunteer Fire Company is extremely proud of Chief Hahne and grateful for his decades of service. There is still much to learn from his years of experience, and there is always a good story to be heard if you sit down with him and a can of Stag beer.
FFAM
