Raymond Lankford, a lifelong member of the Solomons Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department (VRSFD), was determined to see that the Calvert Marine Museum received one of the department's special commemorative throws. It was, he believed, a piece of local history worth keeping. On May 25, he got his wish. Representatives from the Solomons VRSFD, joined by Mr. Lankford's daughters, Betty Norris and Charlene Lankford, Commissioner Mike Hart and his children, presented the throw to Sherrod Sturrock, Acting Director, and Richard Dodds, Curator of Maritime History, for the museum's collection.

Raymond Lankford was born in 1926 on Solomons Island and has been an active member in the community for many years. He and his wife Betty have been married for 70 years, raising 10 children, and enjoying dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mr. Lankford is a legend in Solomons Island.

A dedicated volunteer in many organizations, Raymond Lankford is well known and respected, especially by members of the Solomons VRSFD. President John Pardoe shared that Lankford was one of the founding fathers and has been an active member for 60 years. He joined the department in 1956 when the Calvert County Volunteer Rescue Squad (as it was called back in the day) was where the Thai Restaurant in Solomons is now located. The building had a single bay with a 1955 Studebaker as the first ambulance. Lankford was president for 12 years and was instrumental in the purchase of the property where Solomons VRSFD is today.

In early April, the Solomons VRSFD honored Mr. Lankford for his years of service with a surprise celebration. He and other lifelong volunteers were presented with several gifts, one of which was a commemorative throw depicting the history of the equipment. At Mr. Lankford's suggestion, the Solomons VRSFD graciously donated one of the throws to the Calvert Marine Museum in honor of Mr. Lankford, where it will be added to the historical Solomons collection.

**Text and Images are courtesy of Southern Maryland Online.**