This year the New Windsor Fire Department is celebrating its 75th Anniversary, and will be honoring two of our charter members who served aboard the Haskell Class Attack Transports Ships that served during World War II. Both George "Bud" Petry served aboard the USS Bollinger and Granville "Granny" Grabill served aboard the USS Rawlins. The Haskell Class Attack Transport Ships were designed for their robust versatility of transporting combat equipment, and capable of carrying 1500 troops, to land them on hostile shores with the ships' integral landing craft. After World War II, the ships were configured to return troops as part of the "Magic Carpet" fleet. The Haskell Class Attack Transport was mostly decommissioned by the late 1950's to reserve fleets, with all of the class sold for scrap by 1980.

George "Bud" Petry was a lifelong New Windsor resident and a charter member of the New Windsor Fire Department. Bud served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1947, during World War II, seeing action in the Pacific Theater. After returning home from the war, Bud served as a Milk Truck Driver for 40 years, retiring in 1999. After retirement, Bud worked for Babylon Vault Company in New Windsor, MD. Bud Petry was an active charter member of the New Windsor Fire Department for all of his life, serving for 60 years with the New Windsor Fire Department. During that time, he served as the Department's President for 16 years and Chief of the Department for 4 years. The tradition of service continues as George's sons (Terry and Buddy) and Grandsons (Dale Allen Lowman and Phillip Duerr) are current members of the New Windsor Fire Department.

James Granville Luther Grabill was also a lifelong resident of New Windsor and charter member of the New Windsor Fire Department. He served in the United States Navy during WWII, seeing action in the Pacific Theater. He was formerly employed for 27 years with Black and Decker in Hampstead, retiring in 1981. He was a life member of the VFW Post 8806 of Union Bridge, and a member of the American Legion Post 31 of Westminster. The tradition of service continues as Granny's son (Gene) was a member of the Fire Department and his Grandson (Darrell Kontz) is a current member of the New Windsor Fire Department.

The Haskell Class Attack Transport Ship will be on display at Flood Zone Mini Boat Parade from July 12 through July 16. Come up to Flood Zone Brewery located at 50 North Main Street, Union Bridge, MD 21791.

Flood Zone Hours of Operations:
Wed-Thurs: 4:00-9:00pm
Fri-Sat: 12:00-10:00pm
Sun: 12:00-7:00pm