09/18/2026
“They’re back home.” 🥹❤️
We will never forget those words.
Today, Philip Batteau, President of the HVFD, entrusted Jesse and me with something far greater than a collection of old firehouse memorabilia. He handed us pieces of the Hondo Volunteer Fire Company’s history, photographs, plaques, trophies, hats, shirts, turnout gear, respirators, the Jaws of Life, equipment and so many precious keepsakes collected through generations.
Philip shared with us that he joined the department at only 18 years old and was one of its first Black volunteer firefighters. But what touched us just as much as the things he gave us were the stories he shared.
Stories of volunteers who gave countless hours serving Hondo. Stories of people who gave their labor, their time and even their own money to help with projects at this firehouse. Stories of people who are no longer here, but whose sacrifices helped make this place what it became.
As Philip handed these things to us, he became emotional. He told us that seeing what we are doing with the old firehouse and knowing that we want to preserve and honor its legacy made him feel that these pieces belonged here.
We promised him we would take care of them.
They will be proudly displayed on our Firehouse Memory Wall, where everyone who comes through our doors can see the faces, read the names, hear the stories and remember those who served.
And then Philip said it…
“They’re back home.” 🥹
Yes, Philip. They are back home.
Thank you for trusting us with something that can never be replaced. We may be giving this old firehouse a new purpose, but we will always honor the people who gave it its history.
To every volunteer who ever served here, your stories have a home here, too. ❤️
Jesse & Letty
Firehouse Vintage
