69 years ago...1952, it truly was a memorable year!

The television show I Love Lucy, "The Marriage License"episode, was the first TV show in history to be seen in approximately 10,000,000 homes, Anne Frank's, The Diary of a Young Girl, is published in the English language, U.S. President Harry S. Truman announces that he will not seek reelection giving Dwight D. Eisenhower a landslide victory for President over Adlai Stevenson and 17-year-old Don Cady, Sr. abandons school early to join the United States Navy.

He served on the escort carrier the USS Siboney for more than three years. After his Korean War service, he returned to his hometown where he married his wife Pam in 1961. The couple had four children and has resided in Pleasant Valley his entire life.

In 1952 Don joined the Pleasant Valley Fire District. He has held the ranks of Lieutenant, Company Vice President, Company President and Fire Commissioner during his many years of service to the Pleasant Valley Fire District.

On Monday, September 13th, a beautiful fall-like night, a large contingent of local firefighters, veterans, elected officials, and town residents gathered in front of Cady’s store to unveil the first Hometown Heroes banner, honoring the Navy veteran who has been a member of the Pleasant Valley Fire Department for 69 years.

Using the Pleasant Valley Fire District's ladder 56-45, Past District Chiefs Wayne Gruntler and Bryan Corns removed the black cover that was concealing the Town of Pleasant Valley's first "Hometown Hero" banner.

Congratulations Don and thanks for your service to the community and to the nation!