ROUSES_Summer2022_Magazine.indd

As the saying goes, where there’s smoke, there’s fire! And where there’s fire, I surely hope there are firefighters around. My hometown of Thibodaux has an amazing, large, all-volunteer fire department. The volunteer fire service has a long and proud tradition in the United States. Thibodaux Fire Company No. 1 was officially organized in 1843. It may be the oldest volunteer fire department in the entire state of Louisiana. My great-grandfather, John Barrilleaux, and my grandfather, Carroll Barrilleaux, were longtime firemen in the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department, Protector Fire Company No. 2, which was formed in 1867. I grew up going to see Santa at the fire station and riding on the company float with all the kids in the Firemen’s Parade, which is a part of the annual Firemen’s Fair that takes place every spring. As luck would have it, I married a volunteer fireman who is in the same fire company as my grandfather and great-grandfather. I also have great friends who are very active in our fire department, including my buddy and classmate from K-12, Nathan Richard (see Page 27 for his grilling tips). The camaraderie, the brotherhood of the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department is something special, as I would imagine it is in many fire stations and emergency service centers in small towns and cities around the country. They meet regularly, cook and eat and have fun, but they also take their roles seriously. They do so much training and education behind the scenes. It takes a level of commitment that is not for everyone. And while I reserve the right to gripe a little or roll my eyes when there’s too much fire department “shop talk” at dinner — though Billy puts up with my grocery “shop talk” for that matter, but that makes sense since we both work at Rouses! — I really wouldn’t have it any other way. I am so proud of Billy, Nathan, and all the men and women in volunteer fire departments all across the Gulf Coast, who give so selflessly to keep our communities safe. - Ali Rouse Royster, 3 rd Generation

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR BRANDS AT WWW.ROUSES.COM

9

WWW. ROUSES . COM