Ron Carson. (Submitted photo)

Ron Carson is a well-known local name in the small town of Belleville. He is definitely defined as a hero in many people’s eyes, including mine. He joined the Belleville Fire Company in 1950 at the age of 18. He has committed 74 years of service, making him the oldest living member in the Fire Co. He still attends monthly meetings and you will find him at our annual Firemen’s Festival every August. Ron has a memory that is better than most of us in the fire company today. He can tell you stories of how they used to fight fires and the cost of fire engines through the years. Ron is a historian, a firefighter, a veteran and a hero.

— Annemarie Martin

Submitted photos