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After 50 years, OWL Honors One of its Own

By Rebecca Barnes
For PotomacLocal.com

Woodbridge, Va. –– Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton VFD Auxiliary member Marguerite J. Arrington celebrating 50 years of service with the OWL VFD Auxiliary.  Rete was recently recognized at the Auxiliary’s Annual Installation of Officers and Banquet.

Rete, as she is known to her friends has a long standing history of dedication to the Woodbridge Community.  Not only is she a life member of the Auxiliary, having served as president, vice president, secretary, chaplain, and conductress, she also received the Auxiliary Member of the Year Award in 1976 and 2005.

Rete was also an active member of the Featherstone Elementary and Rippon Middle school Parent Teacher Associations and earned a life membership award in 1968.

Special guest, Del. Richard Anderson (R-51), presented a commendation from Gov. Robert F. McDonnell, to commemorate her 50 years of service.

“Congratulations to Rete for her 50 years of selfless service,”  said Anderson, “and to the newly-installed officers of the OWL VFD and the volunteers of OWL VFD and the Auxiliary: you make Prince William a great place in which to live, work, and serve.”

“We are very proud of Rete, and all our Auxiliary volunteers. Her dedication exemplifies the spirit of OWL VFD,” said William Spicer, current President and past Chief of OWL VFD. “The auxiliary’s work helps us achieve our mission as a fire and rescue department.”

OWL VFD is one of the largest and busiest volunteer fire and rescue departments in the United States. OWL VFD provides fire suppression, EMS care, and rescue services to 80,000 residents in our 27-square mile area through the operation of three fire stations. OWL volunteer Firefighters and EMTs work the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. shift, five days a week, plus 24 hours on holidays and weekends.

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