SFD Service News July, 1945
The poker games have dwindled now to a point where it is a special occasion when enough guys gather at the firehouse for a game. There is only about enough fellows left to fill the table when they all show up for an evening. It got so these same fellows were playing in the game each week and in the course of each evening one or two would force one player to call. This, in the fine sociable game we play, would burn up the guy who had to call and he would determine to get even. It so developed that everyone was so anxious to get even with someone else that no one would even open a pot unless he was pretty sure of winning it. The old days of opening on Jacks or better developed into opening on three or better and the general interest fell off. we need new blood. Congratulations are in order -Ned Russell has recently been elected President of the Wakeman Memorial Association. This election has special significance for Ned is the one who does a lot of the work on this paper before it goes to print and is one of our most active members otherwise. Also, he is the first of the "Wakeman" boys who spent his youth down there to become head of the organization. The best idea to be presented to the members in a number of years has been brought forth by Lloyd Holsapple. He decided that Southport should have a War Memorial in honor of all the Southport boys who have entered the service. He also suggested that this memorial be in the form of a field house and dressing room to be built for dressing and showers. The movement has been started and a committee headed by Hoyt Perry and Mr. Holsapple has been formed to combine the	organizations in town and to start a drive for funds to build this field house. Meetings have been held on the proposal and attending and supporting this idea have been the Wakeman Memorial, SFD, Sasquanaug Society, Parent Teachers Association, Ukranian Society, Pequot Yacht Club and the Southport Ladies Club. All have endorsed the proposal heartily and are willing to work for its success. We anll hope that the money can be raised and when you fellows return to town and engage in sports at the field you will have all the conveniences that you could hope for. Mike Wanat is the SFD representative on the committee. If you have any special idea on what should be incorporated In such a field house in the way of equipment or design, write hi. and let him present it for consideration. Buddy Godfrey is home on leave. As some or you may know he was listed as missing in action and later as a prisoner. Ho looks to be in good shape now -as a matter of fact he played 8 raw innings of softball at the field the other night and really looked good. We should tell you-that softball team of the firehouse never did materialize but that Southport has a team in the Town softball langue. It is a mixture of a few older fellows and a lot of kids. They have not been too successful in their games as yet but hope to improve as the season continues. It is being strengthened weekly as some of the fellows who have been playing with the Aluminum team have bean laid off at the shop and are joining the Southport club.