Memorial Plaque for Fire Chief William Petry Jr

In 1983 a man named William Petry Jr, a Forman (modern day captain) for Engine company in Milltown had a conversation with some retired members from the department. During that conversation it was mentioned where the 1947 American LaFrance fire engine ended up. William became very intrigued with finding her. He made numerous phone calls eventually finding the college that bought her from Milltown in 1973. Not knowing her whereabouts, they recommended he contact American LaFrance directly, and so he did. American LaFrance unfortunately didn't know who owned it but they mentioned that they recently sent a part to the truck registered as #L3304 to Peekskill Fire Department in NY, William contacted them and it was confirmed they had her!!! William immediately asked to come see the truck with a group of members from Milltown. Peekskill was delighted to have them visit. So that spring they traveled to Columbian Engine Company and for the first time In over 10 years they set their eyes on "The 47" it was a joyful day full of sharing pictures and story's with the members of Peekskill, as the day was coming to a end the members of Peekskill made a surprising offer, they said if Milltown would like the truck back they could have her for $3000, William was ecstatic and rushed back home to tell the other members of Engine company, an effort was made to raise the money but sadly they fell short. As it was starting to become a reality that "The 47" would never come back home William made a daring decision, he would take out a $3000 loan to buy her back! Subsequently in the winter of 1983 "The 47" returned home! It was a warm welcoming as she was pushed back into her original bay and a party began, after she was settled the restoration began, she had all the peekskill decals removed and she was painted to her original livery with the Milltown NJ name once again proudly shining on her door, William would take her to well over 30 fire musters and 20 parades winning over 35 awards, including winning best appearing American LaFrance at the Wheaton Village fire muster in 1985. In 1995 William lost the garage he was storing the truck in, it was a hard decision to make but he decided to donate "The 47" back to Engine Company. Engine company took care of her but over time & without adequate storage, she fell into disrepair. Sadly in 2010 William Petry Jr passed away. In 2020 the Fire Department donated the truck to a museum and in 2023. Restoration started and is set to be completed in 2025. To honor William Petry Jr in will be dedicating the 47 LaFrance to him. But help is needed to raise the funds to purchase the bronze Plaque. With the community's help to raise $500 this dedication can be completed before memorial day 2025!