Though Jerry Donley was only 45, he had served as a firefighter for the small community of Swepsonville for 28 years.
He died in his sleep while on duty August 8. When I read in the paper that the funeral procession would go
through a familiar area of the county, I knew I wanted to see it. Even though I did not know Jerry, I find these
processions moving. I could not tell you how many fire trucks, EMS and rescue vehicles, motorcycles, and
local volunteers took part. It was an amazing sight. (For those who are curious, I was located at the water tower
near the Presbyterian Home of Hawfields, looking south on Highway 119.)