I had the privilege of delivering the keynote address at the annual Cecil County Branch of the NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet on November 4, 2023. My speech focused on the richness of African American History and the invaluable contributions of earlier generations.
Cecil County Branch NAACP 61st Annual Banquet
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to learn about the past from a remarkable group of tradition-bearers who have generously shared their stories and life experiences. Their experiences have greatly influenced my understanding of the African American narrative. I was delighted to be able to share some of these remarkable journeys through time, tracing the footsteps of those who illuminated the way and highlighting their incredible contributions, resilience, and deep family history.
The Cecil County Branch was organized in February 1962. A front-page photo in the Cecil Democrat showed the officers meeting to organize at Wright’s AME Church in Elkton. McKinley Scott of North East was the Vice-President; Mildred Johnson of Elkton treasurer; Rev. H. R. Curtis, Elkton, President; and Laurie Loper Charlestown, secretary.
It was an honor to join the NAACP in celebrating and reflecting on the enduring legacy of African Americans.
Talking about African American History, Mike Dixon was the keynote speaker at the NAACP Banquet
Captain Mike Dixon at a fire prevention week program at Kenmore Elementary around 1975
OCEAN CITY, June 24, 2022 – At the 130th annual convention of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MSFA), I was pleased to be inducted into the MSFA Hall of Fame. This prestigious award recognizes distinguished contributions to the Maryland Fire Service at the state level.
I joined the ranks of the volunteer fire service in 1969. Over the decades, I served as a firefighter, lieutenant, captain, and chief of the EMS Division. Also active in county, state, and national fire service organizations, I edited the Volunteer Trumpet, the statewide newsletter of the MSFA, for nine years.
MSFA Past President John Denver and the Singerly Fire Company nominated me for the special honor. Before the annual convention, a review committee selects a small number of candidates as new members.
I was honored and humbled that my colleagues in the Maryland Fire Service nominated me for this prestigious honor. And during the induction ceremony in Ocean City, as I joined the distinguished ranks of Maryland leaders in the hall of fame, the ceremony evoked many memories from over half a century as a first responder in Maryland.
Elkton Firefighter Mike Dixon doing a fire prevention program at Immaculate Conception School around 1974
Captain Mike Dixon at an elementary school for Fire Prevention Week 1976 demonstration. (Source: Cecil Whig)
ELKTON, Sept. 18, 2021 – At the Singerly Fire Company’s 129th annual banquet, I was pleased to receive a prestigious honor, induction into the Harford-Cecil Volunteer Firemen’s Association Firefighter Hall of Fame and to also be recognized for 50-years-of service as a firefighter.
I joined Elkton’s fire department in 1969 and, over the decades, have served as a firefighter, fire line officer, chief of the EMS Division, and in many administrative leadership positions. In addition, I have been active in state and national fire service organizations.
It was an enjoyable evening as several members of the department marked a milestone of a half-century of service and as I joined a distinguished group of colleagues in the firefighter’s Hall of Fame for Harford and Cecil counties. At the delayed banquet (2020 was canceled), local, state, and county officials were on hand to present citations from Governor Larry Hogan, the Maryland General Assembly, the Cecil County Council, and the Town of Elkton.
Mike Dixon (left) receives congratulations for Singerly President Horah as other members and officers look on. Sept. 18, 2021
In 1978, Cecil County’s first group of Advanced Life Support Providers receive congratulations upon being licensed by the State Board of Medical Examiners from their instructor Frank Muller (Source: Cecil Whig Photo, 1978).
For nine years, I have served as the editor of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MSFA) newsletter, The Volunteer Trumpet. But the summer 2020 issue, which usually coincides with the annual firefighters’ convention in Ocean City, is my last number as I step down as editor. I am pleased during this nearly ten-year term to have had the opportunity to steer the course of the Maryland Fire Service publication while strengthening its content.
Once I accepted the opportunity offered to me by Past President John Denver, I received critical help getting acclimated to the MSFA as I figured out how to pull together the first issue, learned how to find contributors, and worked within the Association. In addition to President Denver, Chief Richard Smith from the executive committee oriented me to the operation, providing valuable contacts around the state, while also outlining expectations. Most importantly, Chief Smith’s ongoing guidance and support as I climbed a steep learning curve with the first couple of issues were essential in helping me transition effectively into the post. This help from two of the organization’s executives was critical for the successful launch of a new editor, and it carried me through more than 50 issues.
We had a strong group of contributors, columnists, and photographers gathering newsworthy material from around Maryland, over this period. So, as I write my final editor’s column, I want to acknowledge the work of the regular correspondents. They made the Volunteer Trumpet while giving us a chance to share amazing Maryland fire service stories, showcase the work of the volunteer fire departments, and present Association activities.
The Volunteer Trumpet, the newsletter of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association
Chief Clarence “Chip” Jewell’s popular Firehouse Logbook added immensely to the periodical. Our senior columnist produced informed fire service commentary, history, and timely, thoughtful opinions in his regular spot in these pages.
Jim Jarboe, one of our most recognizable contributors as our artist in residence, provided timely safety reminders. He also kept readers sharp by challenging them with his Wally Quizzes, “Are you as smart as the old-time fire chief.” These were things the readers looked for on these pages.
MSFA PIO Ron Watkins diligently covered his beat, the Association. He kept us up-to-date on MSFA news and covered local happenings in central and western Maryland.
We also were fortunate to be able to showcase the excellent work of two Maryland Fire Service Photographers, Bruce Secrist, and Neving Steffy. They provided high-quality on-location coverage, supplying images that told the story on the Eastern Shore. The excellent work through the lens of these photographers often occupied prominent spots on these pages.
And Heidi McPherson served as a copy editor, proofreading submissions and keeping an eye on me, too. From MIEMSS, Jim Brown provided news, and from the State Fire Marshal, Brian S. Geraci had his regular updates.
I am grateful to our regular contributors and those who occasionally submitted items. It’s been a privilege to serve as editor of this publication for the past nine years.
Of course, this final year presented challenges as the coronavirus grew from a distant global event to a public health emergency that largely shut Maryland down as Governor Hogan issued stay-at-home orders to stop the spread of the virus. This upended the convention, the focus of our June issue.
So, with the closing of this volume, I am also delighted to pass the torch to a capable new editor, Jonathan Dayton. Editor Dayton will do excellent work guiding the Volunteer Trumpet through the next stage of its development, and I wish him all the best. It has been my pleasure to contribute to the Trumpet over the years.
L to R: Singerly Medic Shirley Herring, Sparky, Captain Mike Dixon, and a school teacher talk about plans for fire prevention week around 1976.
