Company 1 of the Mineola Fire Department calls itself "The Pride of Mineola." That pride was clearly displayed Friday night when the company honored one of its longtime members with a classic celebration.

On Sept. 15 at the Swan Club in Glenwood Landing, Company 1 of the Mineola Fire Department honored Bill Pokorny for his golden anniversary of 50 years in the fire department.

The evening's ceremonies celebrated Mr. Pokorny's career, which began in 1950, when the honorary chief moved to Mineola and joined the fire department. Celebrating the outstanding achievement of longevity, dedication and selfless service to his community were Mr. Pokorny's fellow fire department members including those from Company 1, chiefs Jack Gayson, Mike DeStefano and Scott Strauss.

Ceremonies included various presentations as well as a look back at some of Mr. Pokorny's involvement in the fire department since he proved his value as not only a firefighter but as a volunteer in numerous organizations.

Fellow Company 1 member Paul Cusato served as the Master of Ceremonies. He kicked off the evening by saying, "In my 33 years of service, I've always had a great deal of respect for Bill Pokorny."

Cusato echoed the sentiments of many including Company 1 Captain, Brian Santosus, who presented his colleague with a plaque in commemoration of reaching the 50 years of service plateau. Company 1's presentation was the first in a number of presentations including one from Flore Rowe on behalf of the Ladies Auxiliary and Receiver of Taxes Ann Galante, who expressed her gratefulness to Mr. Pokorny as a former mayor of Mineola.

Mr. Pokorny's involvement didn't stop in the Mineola Company 1, where he served as past president and financial secretary. He was also a delegate to the 84th Annual Convention of the Firemen's Association of the State of New York (FASNY) and is a lifetime member of the association. He is a member of the Southern New York Volunteer Firemen's Association and the Nassau County Firemen's Association.

Representatives from those organizations were on hand to honor Mr. Pokorny, who received a proclamation from the office of the county executive to add to the Nassau Firematic Award he earned in 1996 when he was Mineola's Fireman of the Year.

This year's Fireman of the Year, Captain Christopher Franz, presented a plaque to Mr. Pokorny on behalf of Company 2 and Captain George Rowe made a presentation on behalf of Company 3.

Mineola Deputy Mayor Lou Santosus, also a member of Company 1 of the fire department, an ex-chief and president of the Mineola Exempts Association, honored Mr. Pokorny calling him "a great friend to the Mineola Fire Department and the Exempts Association."

Other distinguished guests who made presentations to the Mineola Fire Department's newest 50-year member included New York State Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell and Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello.

O'Connell marveled at 50 years of service for the fire department. "He's one of our special jewels in the Mineola community," she said about Mr. Pokorny.

Nicolello praised all of the members of the 50-year club, saying they represent the greatest generation.

Chiefs Gayson, DeStefano and Strauss presented Mr. Pokorny with a plaque attached to a lamp and an honorary firefighters hat. "I'm very proud to be in the same company as you," Chief Gayson, the fire chief of Company 1 told Mr. Pokorny.

Besides Deputy Mayor Santosus, other members of the village board present to honor Mr. Pokorny included trustees Maryanne Warnecke, Elizabeth Conlon and Linda Fairgrieve. Mineola Mayor John P. Colbert could not attend the ceremony since he is recovering from illness. However, he sent a letter thanking Mr. Pokorny for dedicating himself to the community. After reading the letter, Deputy Mayor Santosus presented a village proclamation to Mr. Pokorny, which proclaimed the following day, September 16, 2000, as Bill Pokorny Day throughout the Village of Mineola. The board also presented Mr. Pokorny with a street sign bearing his name, which will be put up near his residence.

The evening was also special because Mr. Pokorny got to share it with his wife Ruth, who was presented with a bouquet of roses from Captain Santosus, his sons Thomas and William and daughter Ellen.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Mr. Pokorny said to all those in attendance, "Thanks very much. I can't find the words to thank you."

The dedicated firefighter didn't need words to thank anyone, however. His actions over the past 50 years had everyone thanking him.

(See next week's edition of the Mineola American for photos of the ceremony)