Grand Marshalls, the Fays are veterans of volunteering

RONAN – Jack Fay’s mom would be proud. Her son Jack is an outstanding friend, a treasure to the community and a veteran defender of the United States.

Fay and his wife Marge, who is also VFW Women’s Auxiliary President, were this year’s Ronan Pioneer Days Grand Marshalls.

But no one needs a parade float to highlight a life worth celebrating, or to showcase an exemplary person who is always available to chat.

Jack and his friends meet at the Ronan VFW hall every morning but Sunday to drink coffee and share their lives.

“How do you describe one of your best friends,” said Kermit Andersen of Ronan. “He is always available to help.”

Andersen, whose known Fay for more than 50 years, said he’s watched Fay throughout his adult life as he ran his businesses and raised his family.

“I’ve been there for (most) of his life,” Andersen said. “He is just like his mother. She had a reputation. She was always there to help somebody in need. He is just like her. In the younger years he had businesses to run, he was the ambulance driver, a firefighter, (the fire chief), and somehow he always had time to do it all. He’s always on the giving end. He does those kinds of things and then in the next moment he gives again.”

Fay said he gives because that is the way he was raised.

“She (his mother) liked to help people. It’s the way she was brought up. I suppose a little bit of it rubbed off,” he said.

When the Fays escorted the VFW Ladies Auxiliary down the Pioneer Days parade route, they were driving a very special vehicle. And it belongs to Andersen.

In 1946 Andersen’s father sold that specific tractor new to a North Dakota farmer. Throughout that farmer’s life he kept it running for use on his farm and when he died, he passed it along to his son. And when the farmer’s son died, Andersen bought it from the family’s estate sale.

Once in Ronan, Andersen had a local company restore the tractor and it rests in a barn, only being driven one day a year: The Ronan Pioneer Days Parade.

Andersen said anyone who wants to share in their lives are welcome to meet the men any morning but Sunday for a cup of coffee and conversation.