Paying lasting tribute

Jim Begley, a Boy Scout from Cato, is trying to pay a permanent tribute to the deceased volunteers of the Cato Fire Department. Begley is working on the requirements for his advancement to the rank of Eagle Scout.

With help from the fire department, Dorothy Southard, the town historian, and Margaret Sweeting, the president of the Cato Cemetery, Begley will be placing special bronze plaques on the graves of all the identified firefighters.

“I thought this would be a great way to honor the firefighters,” Jim said. “I'm pretty much done with my research. Since 1919, 372 people have been members of the fire department; 100 have passed away and 54 of those are in Cato Cemetery. The whole idea of the project is to place the plaques on the graves.” The Cato Fire Department is paying for the cost of the plaques.