By Allan R. Way, Company Historian.

This account is based on Herman Dean’s record of the details form our 100th Anniversary Book published in 1929.

The date was September 12th, 1906. The number of visitors in town that day was estimated at 7,000. No TV, No radio, no malls. This was a big deal. The Village population was only a couple of hundred at this time. Many of the stores and houses were elaborately decorated.

One of the main features of the day was the presentation of a flag to the Company by Captain William Haubennestel, our County Treasurer. He had donated flags to many fire organizations in the county over the years and now made good on his promise given a year ago to present us with such a flag. This parade was considered by the genial Captain to be an appropriate occasion for such a presentation. He had come to Fishkill and went directly to the Union Hotel from which he sent word that he would make the presentation at two o'clock. The company met at the engine house on Robinson Street and marched around to Main Street where they formed a single long line. Captain Haubennestel presented a beautiful silk flag, with yellow fringe, handsome staff, rope tassel, belt and socket to the Village President, F.R. Benjamin, who received it with a brief speech of acceptance and then turned it over to Foreman Robert E. Dean who also accepted it with a few appropriate remarks. Captain Haubennestel then made a brief patriotic address which was "cheered to the echo". The flag was then carried at the head of the Company. I believe this flag is still somewhere in the fire station today.

A photograph of the Company lined up on Main Street at the intersection with North Street for the flag presentation on September 12, 1906.

The parade was formed on Robinson Street with the following participating units- Grand Marshal, Captain Mosher; a platoon of six police; five carriages containing Fishkill, Matteawan, and Fishkill Landing officials, fire company chaplains, and members of the press; the Veteran Firemen with 25 men; Collins' Band of Newburgh; Beacon Engine Company with 69 men, parade carriage, service wagon, St. Luke's Fife and Drum Corps; Mase Hook and Ladder Company with 30 men, truck, Scofield's Band of Poughkeepsie; Tompkins' Hose Company with 70 men, parade carriage and service wagon; Brennan's Band of New Hamburgh. Protection Engine Company had 52 men in the line-of-march along with their apparatus drawn by a handsome black team of horses belonging to Walter Van Benschoten.

The line-of-march passed through many of the Village streets and ended at the school house grounds where tables were spread for a banquet on the south side of the building. There was room for 400 people and food for many more.

The Ladies Committee was in charge of the food. Mrs. Stephen J. Shook was chairman. Her assistants were Mrs. Robert E. Dean, Mrs. Frank L. Haight, Mrs. Moncure Bartow, Mrs. Anthony J. Edwards, Mrs. William S, Hustis, and Mrs. Gertrude Bergen all of whom were "styled head waiters". Others waiting on tables included... Miss Laura Roosa, Miss Carrie Adams, Miss Irene Scofield, Miss Grace DuMond, Miss Martha Anthony,, Mrs. Theodore Williams, Mrs. Egbert Eastwood, Miss Grace Genung, Miss Marcia A. DuMond, Mrs. Isaac J. Wood, Miss Pauline Way, Miss Anna Dean. Mrs. Van Slyck Senecal, Mrs. J. William Brett, Miss Emma Hawkins, Mrs. John Wood, Miss Jennie Senecal, Miss Celia Doyle, Miss Jennie Montfort, Mrs. Joseph Vernol, and Mrs. Edward Schierding.

The banquet was considered a major success on all accounts. Each of the bands presented a concert after everyone had eaten. At 8:30 that evening, the groups that had come by train had to leave for home. All left in high spirits.

At the next company meeting, a motion was passed to formally thank Captain Haubennestel for the flag presented to the Company on September 12th and to publicize it in the local paper along with words of appreciation to the Banquet and Parade Committees and all who contributed.