WILTON — Four men stood straight and tall Tuesday night in navy blue dress uniforms highlighted with red and white accents.

Two held wooden handled axes flanking those carrying the U.S. and the Wilton Fire and Rescue Department flags and its battle streamers.

The department’s Honor Guard has been selected to represent Franklin County firefighters at funerals and parades, serving in dedication to fallen firefighters, their families and department members past and present.

Guard members Lt. Randy Barker, officer of the Guard, carried the U.S. flag, firefighters Ryan Macomber carried the Fire Department flag with its battle streamers, Capt. Thom Walker and Assistant Chief Kyle Ellis carried axes.

The Honor Guard has been named the best firefighter unit four of the past five years, at the Maine Federation of Firefighters Convention.

The units are judged on character, dress uniform, marching skills and overall presentation, Barker said Tuesday. They practice for hours, up to 80 to prepare for competition so their unit stands out, marching in sync.

“Our presentation is pristine, perfect,” Barker said.

They don’t practice every week unless there is a competition or parade coming up, he said.

They each have a reason for their commitment.

For Barker, it’s the pride that they want to work together to pull it off, he said. They have to know what each other is doing and be in step together, he said.

“We work very, very hard and very, well together. It’s a bond like no other,” he said.

It is the satisfaction and pride of what they do that keeps Macomber coming back.

“I feel like it is giving something back to the community,” he said. “I enjoy it.”

Ellis said he feels the same way.

“I take pride in representing the Fire Department as a group and it is rewarding to be able to represent not just the Fire Department but the community,” Ellis said.

The convention usually occurs around Sept. 11, Walker said, and that is what he focuses on, thinking of the dedication of the fallen firefighters and those who continue on.

The men credit the Fire Department for its support and standing behind them.

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