Lloyd Henry joined the Lampeter Fire Company a couple months before World War II officially ended and is still a member today.

During that time, he has made a lasting impact in Lampeter and beyond.

Lloyd, 96, was honored for 80 years of service to the company during the organization's February meeting.

Fire company president John Alexander planned to surprise Lloyd with a plaque, but Lloyd became suspicious.

"I saw a box on the podium and thought something's up," Lloyd said.

Although not totally caught off guard by the presentation, Lloyd was grateful. "It really made me feel good," he said. "It's a great feeling being recognized for my work with the fire company."

Lloyd joined the volunteer group at the fire company on Feb. 16, 1945, at the age of 16. He served as fire chief from 1968 to 2002 and made a multitude of contributions.

Lloyd repaired fire apparatus and ensured the equipment looked good in parades. "The fire company was my pride and joy," he said.

His son, Bob, said, "We had the engines jacked up in the fire company repairing whatever because we couldn't afford (to take it to a mechanic). He saved the fire company a lot of money."

Added Alexander, "It didn't matter if it was freezing cold or blistering hot, the engines were always clean. The station was always clean."

An expert in fighting farm and silo fires and conducting animal rescues, Lloyd helped write the curriculum for a Penn State class. Lloyd also worked as a state master fire instructor, traveling across the state and as far west as Missouri.

Much has changed over the last 80 years. Lloyd remembers when "fire trucks" were Model-T Fords with a tank in the back, and most calls were handled by the "Big Four": Lampeter, Refton, New Danville, and West Willow fire companies. He joined Lampeter soon after the fire company got its first pumper.

Bob remembers being 8 years old, waking up at night and starting his father's car before hiding in the back seat to go along on a fire call.

"He didn't push us to join the fire company, but it was in the family blood," Bob said. Bob became a full-time member in 1968 and was his dad's first assistant chief.

"He's very knowledgeable, and when you're young you get impressed with that. You follow his lead most of the time," Bob added.

Alexander has been friends with Lloyd for five decades. When Alexander returned from active duty, he worked with Lloyd as technicians for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

"Lloyd was my very first fire instructor," Alexander said. "He took me through my basics and advanced, specialty fields, fire ground rescue, vehicle rescue, HAZMAT. We don't just come sit on the fire truck. We learn."

Lloyd's stint as fire chief came during a critical juncture. "From that time period on, a lot of things changed," said Alexander, who was an assistant fire instructor under Lloyd. "We were in a transition period where a lot of fire companies were transitioning from the '60s-era firefighting to more modern day. There were a lot of old practices we changed."

As technology improved, Lampeter Fire Company kept up with the changing environment. "We started renewing our approach to firefighting," said Alexander. "Lloyd was there when we were instrumental in getting two new fire engines in four years, improving how we were doing things. We used modern training and modern technology. What was a benefit to the fire company was Lloyd was a state instructor. We always trained, and we always got the new technology."

Alexander wistfully recalls that period. "Lloyd was our fire chief when we were in our heyday," he said. "We turned out a good group of people. We had an old saying, 'They may not have liked us, but they never sent us home.'"

Bob said he often heard people standing along the street say, "Now things will get done," after seeing Lampeter equipment arriving.

Lloyd, who rode on the engine until he was 80, was consumed by firefighting. When he and Alexander went fishing, the conversation was usually about the fire company.

"We would refight every fire we ever had at least three times," said Alexander.

"His heart and soul were in the fire service and the Army," Bob said. "Plain and simple. He loved them both. His heart and soul were training and teaching people to be better firefighters."

Affectionately known as "Pap," Lloyd prefaces comments to colleagues with a friendly, "Hey, boy."

His legacy is felt throughout the area. "At one time, I would say up until the mid-'80s, there were very few firefighters in Lancaster County that never had him for at least one class," said Alexander. "You still can't go to a fire without someone asking, 'How's Pap doing?'"