The World War II Years
With the United States at war in Europe, many fire departments, including Hicksville's, found themselves without many young firefighters because they were serving their country. Even America's favorite pastime, professional baseball, was interrupted along with the annual events in Hicksville, which also abruptly ended. During the early war years, the fire department hosted its own internal drill competition between companies each year on Labor Day. This was designed to keep the comradery positive during such a difficult time. The department also decided to host an annual parade in lieu of the tournaments. The department played host to a community dance, which took place until 1945. It included the participation of Grumman's Orchestra, "The Continentals," playing the sounds of big band music. The events included a raffle for War Bonds and War Stamps, chaired by George Engel, Andrew B. Heberer Jr., and William Reichert.
Following the end of World War II, the department began to host the Annual Tournament, and in 1948, the entries reached a staggering 75 departments from all over Nassau and Suffolk counties. During the day, the department surgeon, Dr. Walter Stillger treated 46 spectators and contestants. He had assistance from the American Red Cross.
It was the close of the decade in 1949, and the Hicksville "Hicks" Drill Team was presented the Nassau County Point Trophy at the annual event in front of a crowd of over 12,500 spectators. It was this year that the "Hicks" won 49 trophies. As the contests got underway in the afternoon, three planes took off from the Hicksville Airpark and flew in formation over the tournament as a special tribute. The planes were piloted by Hicksville residents Eddie Alexander, Ken Garafola, and Dick Hertzburg.
