By CHRIS CONROY and SANDRA DECKELMAN

MONTICELLO - Firefighters from all over the Hudson Valley, upstate New York and New Jersey came to Monticello, their uniforms smartly pressed, to march in the 111th Hudson Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association parade.

Trucks of all colors, shapes and sizes, washed, scrubbed and polished, rolled down Broadway, lights competing with the bright afternoon sun for the gathered crowd's attention. In all, participants and spectators numbered over ten thousand.

Accented by bagpipes, brass, drums and other traditional parade instruments, thousands of firefighters marched from the Sullivan County Courthouse to Monticello Raceway. Although the ninety-degree weather would be no match for the intense temperatures of fighting a blaze, the near three-mile march proved a challenge for some. By the time the raceway was reached, the number of marchers had visibly decreased.

Those that remained-and even those that dropped out early-possessed a certain pizzazz. Each of the marchers were focused, marching briskly and staring straight ahead, reflecting the companies they represented. Some had traveled great lengths to be there; others only a few miles, but none gave so much as a sideward glance when their departments were cheered, or their names called from the sidewalk. These volunteers were disciplined and proud, and they were there to show it.

Some departments marched more than 50 strong, while others struggled to get ten, but all were marching as a show of support for the spirit of volunteerism.

"People don't realize the good they do by volunteering as a fireman. Fireman, especially the fire police, do not get the credit they deserve. They provide safety to the community," said Paul Yonchik, a 27 year veteran of the Hortonville Fire Department. It is odd that our communities are growing, yet there is a lack of people willing to get involved and protect them.

The order of the day was support for those who help make our towns and villages safer. Cheers went out through the crowd as spectators called out to their local men and women in uniform.