Lenoir Co. firemen honor one of their own

Gone but not forgotten, former Deep Run Volunteer Fire Department Capt. Adam Ryan Howard was honored Sunday during the 13th annual Fireman's Day held at Lenoir Community College.

The Lenoir County Firemen Association presented Howard's family with a memorial plaque, dedicating the day's events in the name of the fallen firefighter.

Howard, 21, of Deep Run died Sept. 13 in a skydiving accident in Yadkin County. He joined the Deep Run Volunteer Fire Department in 2001, and was named Fireman of the Year three times during his service. Howard graduated from South Lenoir High School in 2005.

Howard's parents - Ted and Gail Howard - and sister - Allison - accepted the plaque from Lenoir County Firemen Association chairman David Jones.

"Adam was a wonderful person and a brother to many in the fire service," Jones said. "He will be in our hearts forever."

Several Deep Run volunteer firefighters donned purple shirts, which said "This one is for Cadillac" to honor Howard's memory. His friends called him Cadillac.

Deep Run fire chief Michael Gray also received a memorial plaque honoring Howard's memory. Gray said he planned to hang the plaque in the fire department's meeting room.

"It's just overwhelming," Gray said. "I thank the association for doing this for us."

More than 200 local volunteer firefighters attended the annual Fireman's Day to showcase their skills. Firefighters from Wyse Fork, Pink Hill, Hugo, North Lenoir, Southwood, Sand Hill, Deep Run, Grifton, La Grange, Sandy Bottom and Seven Springs mingled at the event.

Lenoir County Firemen Association vice-chair Victor Styles said the event helps local firefighters network and celebrate their service. The association currently has more than 400 volunteer firefighters as members.

During the event, both men and women firefighters competed against each other in several events.

Hugo Volunteer Fire Department member Sonia Houghton participated in a contest to see who could put on their fire fighting protection gear the fastest. Houghton joined the department in 1998.

"I enjoy serving in the department," she said. "I like the rush I get when we put out fires."

Each fire department also competed in a water hose competition, where they were required to see how fast they could push a barrel with pressurized water shooting out of a hose connected to a fire truck. The day ended with a tug of war competition between the departments.

Chris Lavender can be reached at (252) 559-1078 or clavender@freedomenc.com.