August 1, 2002
<bt>With the Centreville Day taking place on Saturday, Sept. 14, the Centreville Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD) will also be sponsoring an Open House on the same day for two reasons.
First, to participate along with local citizens in the many events that will be taking place around the firehouse property, and second, to commemorate the events of Sept. 11.
Special activities are being planned using the CVFD's theme "United We Stand." After the Centreville Day parade, which will end at the Old Centreville Square Shopping Center, the Centreville Volunteer Fire Department will kick off the official start of Centreville Day with a special flag-raising ceremony and memorial service. It will honor the 343 fire department personnel lost on Sept. 11. Fire Department Chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Jerry Foltz will officiate.
"At no other time in history have we lost so many brothers and sisters as we did on that one day," said Fire Chief Pete Kirby.
During the Open House, there will be equipment displays, exhibits and activities in the bay areas, and fun events for the kids in the parking lot. Kids can shoot water from a fire hose in the target practice event, play bingo for prizes and try their hand at several emergency simulators. Vendors are invited to set up interactive displays that support the community, health and safety theme.
"We hope you'll come over to the firehouse after the parade at about 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 14 to help us kick off Centreville Day," said John Phillips, president of the Centreville Volunteer Fire Department.