FREEHOLD – A longtime member of the Freehold Fire Department in Freehold Borough has been honored for his half-century of service to the volunteer department.
Donald Rue was recognized on Aug. 4 by the Borough Council for the 50 years of volunteer service he has provided to the Good Will Hook and Ladder Company of the Freehold Fire Department.
Rue, 73, joined the fire department on Aug. 3, 1967, at the age of 23.
Rue’s appearance at the council meeting to receive the honor was followed by a celebration at the fire department’s headquarters.
Rue, who is a lifelong borough resident, sought to become a firefighter at an early age. Living on Throckmorton Street, he described how he would watch firetrucks drive down the street.
After serving in the U.S. Army from 1964-67, Rue joined the Freehold Fire Department and followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, who was also a member of the community organization.
During Rue’s 50 years as a volunteer firefighter, he was twice named captain, he served as the Good Will Hook and Ladder Company’s engineer for more than 35 years, he was the department’s mechanic for 20 years and he served as the company’s training officer.
Borough officials said Rue was instrumental in the development of the fire department’s Junior Firefighter program. They said he continues to mentor new volunteers as he helps the next generation of the town’s firefighters develop their skills.
A resolution honoring Rue was read by Mayor Nolan Higgins and Rue was presented with a proclamation from Councilman Jaye Sims, who is also a member of the Good Will Hook and Ladder Company.
Rue and Sims noted afterward that they have known each other since Sims was in high school.
“[Rue] is a great guy,” Sims said. “It’s a great night and I’m glad to be part of it.”
As he volunteered in his hometown fire department for five decades, Rue worked as a firefighter in the Perth Amboy Fire Department from 1974 until his retirement in 2002. He rose to the rank of lieutenant in Perth Amboy and received two commendations for lifesaving actions in the line of duty.
At the council meeting, Rue was accompanied by members of the Freehold and Perth Amboy fire departments and by members of his family, including his stepdaughter who came from Arizona to see him receive his honor.
“50 years for five minutes of fame was worth it,” Rue joked at the meeting.
Following the meeting, the veteran firefighter reflected on the decades he spent serving the communities of Freehold Borough and Perth Amboy.
“It was well worth it,” Rue said. “I made a lot of friends.”
While acknowledging he felt overwhelmed by the honors and attention he was receiving, Rue said all of the people he became close with during his years of service and all the support he was shown during the evening was reflective of dedication and effort to a position.
“You get back what you put into it,” he said.
