Youngwood boy gets his own personal parade thanks to borough's volunteer firefighters

On a cold and gray afternoon in Youngwood, one little boy’s birthday turned out to be a heartwarming, bright-blue celebration.

On a day normally highlighted with a school celebration and then dinner at Hoss’s, Garrett Hamilton’s seventh birthday was looking to be a little less than thrilling this year, thanks to the covid-19 pandemic.

That bit of brightness Thursday came courtesy of the members of the Youngwood Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, as truck after truck, with full lights and sirens, drove by Garrett’s Hillis Street house.

It was quite the sight for a little boy who loves fire trucks, said his mom, Terry Klym.

“I didn’t know it was going to happen,” Garrett said, grinning from ear to ear after his personal parade had passed.

The firemen gifted the boy with his own fire helmet, mug and bracelet.

Garrett’s aunt Tracy Krider was upset he wouldn’t be able to have a traditional party. She asked her neighbor, Tim Vastell, a Youngwood councilman and firefighter, about the possibility of a quick pass by from a fire truck.

It was not just one truck, but every one in the station — Command 26, Engine 26, Tower 26, Rescue 26, Squad 26 and Service 26 — that showed up for Garrett.

“They went above and beyond,” Krider said.

“I’ll do anything I can for kids who like fire trucks,” Youngwood fire Chief Lloyd Crago said.

When he put out the call for firefighters, he had quite the response: “I had more drivers respond than we have trucks. After about 18 replies, I had to say ‘yeah, we’re good.’”

Garrett said he’s looking forward to a birthday bonfire this summer with some friends, when, he proclaims, he’ll be turning 8.