Chief Moon Wyrick family interview
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I would like to share a few of my favorite memories I have of my grandfather Fire Chief “Moon” Wyrick. Who I called “Pappy”.
One of my favorite memories was at Christmas. We always had the best time and it was the one time a year that everyone in the family got together for dinner, good company and presents. My grandmother, “Mammy”, spent all day cooking a fabulous meal and made sure the house was perfectly decorated for the occasion. The family would sit in the back part of the house around the fire place, eating, laughing, catching up and making some beautiful memories.
When it was time to open presents, “Pappy” would dress up like Santa Claus and give out all of the presents to us kids. Then later he would return in his regular clothes to join in on the fun with the family. Of course none of us kids knew it was really “Pappy”. Or most of us didn’t. I guess that’s one of the reasons I love Santa Claus so much to this day because he was such a big part of my childhood. If someone were to say, “Michelle…. there is no real Santa Claus.” I would reply “Oh, Santa Claus is very real!”.
I also remember trying to persuade “Pappy” every chance I got to give me ice cream money. “Pappy” would say “Great day! You are gonna break me yet!”, but I always remember being able to get my ice cream.
“Pappy” always asked me to scratch his back for him every time I would walk into his house. “Just for a minute” he would say. Back then it seemed like such a chore and a minute seemed like an hour, but today I would give anything to give him a good ole back rub. In fact, that was one of the last things he asked from my sister Cindy and I before he passed away. Was to scratch his back.
I hope “Pappy” knows how very proud I am of him to this day and all of his accomplishments he made during his lifetime. I learned so much from both my grandmother “Mammy” and grandfather “Pappy”. They were such great role models and always taught me to have great morals. My grandmother would say, “Don’t ever think you’re better than someone else because one day you might have to prove it!” I miss them both dearly, but I think both of them would be proud of the woman I am today. I have really enjoyed going down memory lane with you all. I hope you’ve enjoyed it too.
-Michele Cook
Moon Wyrick’s Granddaughter
"Moon and Little Moon"
"Daddy can I go with you?" No Annie Maye you can't go with me." For nine years I guess I asked Daddy that question every other day. In those days from 1944 to the early 1950's, Daddy was a fireman and worked 24 hours on and 24 hours off.
At an early age, I discovered I liked this big, tall and handsome man that was my father. He was busy making his name and playing a big part in firefighting, too busy for a kid that could talk his ear off.
When I was 7 and half years old, I asked my mother if I could take my daddy his supper on the days that he had to work 24 hours on duty. She agreed and this started a relationship that would last until July 10, 1987.
Being the youngest of three, David, Jennie Lou and me, to say I was the "Baby" and spoiled is a fair statement. I learned at an early age that I was special and I was "Little Moon!"
Going to Central Fire Station was the highlight of my young life. To know I could go to the station and say, "Where is my daddy?", and never called out his name and would always hear "Hey Moon, Little Moon (Sometimes Half Moon) is looking for you."
After a short time, I decided that daddy had a pretty interesting job and I would definitely become a big part of it and learn as much as I could or dared.
I found that sliding down the fire pole was not the easiest task I ever achieved. Had gotten pretty good when one of the firemen fell and broke both his legs. That was the end of my "Getting Downstairs in a Hurry."
Hiding under the hoses was my greatest thrill and going on a fire. Riding on the back of the truck was just as exciting. My favorite part was riding with Slim Maynard on the hooking ladder truck. Slim could almost make a U-turn with the hooking ladder.
In 1947, my father became Fire Chief of Greensboro. Quite and Achievement due to his age. When he became Fire Chief of Greensboro it was like I become "Little Fire Chief." Now don't misunderstand me, I certainly did not run my father's office or the Fire Departments, I was just three when a lot of things were being created and things were happening.
Each Memorial Day, the children of Greensboro were allowed to ride the fire trucks to the cemetery to honor our departed firemen. Needless to say I had the best seat in the crowd. I would ride with "Slim" on the hooking truck ladder.
Written by , Anne Wyrick Olson
Daughter of Chief "Moon" Wyrick
Fire Chief Calvin Weatherly Wyrick
Calvin Weatherly Wyrick (Nickname: "Moon") was born in Greensboro North Carolina on November 26, 1905 to Mr. Robert R Wyrick and Mrs. Jennie W. Wyrick.
Chief Wyrick joined the first service as a volunteer fireman December 1, 1922. On September 1, 1926 he was appointed as a regular paid fireman, private with the Greensboro Fire Department. On August 21, 1946, he was appointed Fired Chief of Greensboro by the City Council. At present, he is still serving as Fire Chief, protecting a 52 square mile area and 135,000 citizens with total personnel of 217 and 10 engine houses.
Married on September 11, 1929, to Edna Bertha Henson. He is the father of three children, David, Jennie Lou (Mrs. Zane E. Leake) , Anne (Mrs. Ronald Olson) , and has seven grandchildren.
Chief Wyrick is a member of Carraway Memorial Methodist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Chief Wyrick is a member of the following Fire Department Organizations: President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs (President 1957) , Secretary-Treasurer from 1958-1965, North Carolina Firemen's Association (President 1952, Now Life Member), Life Member of South Carolina Fire Chief's Association and Life Member of the North Carolina Fire Chief's Association ( Vice President 1956).
He is also a member of the International Fire Service Training Association and Member of the Executive Board of the Oklahoma State University Training Manuals, Stillwater, Oklahoma, where he and other associates are working on manuals for Fire Chiefs, Fire Department Officers and Fireman.
Chief Wyrick is Assistant Director of the North Carolina Fire College and the North Carolina Pump School.
Chief Wyrick is a member of the following fraternal orders and civic clubs: Masonic Order, Scottish Rite Masons, Oasis Shrine, The Jesters Court 109, Elks and Odd Fellows, Greensboro Boosters Club (President 1963) , South Greensboro Business Men's Association, Kiwanis Club, Engineers Club (Greensboro) , North Carolina Society of Engineers, Shrine Club ( President 1956) , Life Member of Greensboro Jr. Chamber of Commerce, Junior Chamber Oldtimers (President 1950) , and past member of the Exchange Club (President 1951) .
Chief Wyrick was chosen in 1958 by the Army to act on the Advisory Committee 3rd Army at Atlanta, Georgia.
He was director and president of the Guilford County Chapter for Polio for over 25 years and one of very few to have received the 25 year pin and merit certificates. He has served as Director and President for the School for cerebral palsy. He has worked on all Fund Drives such as the United Fund, March of Dimes, Cerebral Palsy. Y.W.C.A., Y.M.C.A., Cancer Association, Heart Association, Shrine Hospital and the American Red Cross and has been cited for saving of lives. He is a Vice-President for the Society for Crippled Children.
In April 1960, he was appointed the Honorary Chairman of the Greater Greensboro Open Golf Tournament.
He was Mr. Greensboro in 1965.
He has been the official Santa Claus in Greensboro for all the parades and he has played for the aged and afflicted children in Greensboro and Guilford County. He has played Santa Claus on an average of 50 times per year.
On July 3, 1962, he was chosen General Chairman of the Greensboro Holiday Jubilee and Beauty Pageant.
He also has the honor of being the Goodwill Ambassador for the City of Greensboro.
CHIEF WYRICK GETS HIG AWARD FOR SERVICE (Reprinted from the Greensboro, N.C. Daily News)
Greensboro Fire Chief C. W. "Moon" Wyrick received the highest award presented during the 77th annual conference of North Carolina Firemen's Association and North Carolina Fire Chiefs Association at the convention in Morehead City.
The walnut plaque, embellished with the traditional firemen's insignia of axe, wreath, helmet, speaking trumpets, ladder and pikepole, reads, "To Chief Calvin W. ("Moon") Wyrick of Greensboro, 1964 for outstanding achievement in the fire service."
Written by Anne Wyrick Olson
Daughter of Chief "Moon" Wyrick