Night's Dream

Surrounded by family, John Haag salutes to Midland Fire Department's shift Thursday night after Stations 1, 2, and 3, from across Midland drove Haag to his home in a parade of firetrucks. After 25 years with the department, Haag retired and worked his last day as Battalion Chief on Thursday. Among many things he mentioned he wanted to do during retirement, dedicating more time to learning Blues guitar was on his list.



When John Haag interviewed for a job as a firefighter with the Midland Fire Department 25 years ago, he sat in the same chair he used Thursday night to hold a bag as he packed up the sleeping quarters at Station 1, he said. After 25 years with the Midland Fire Department, Haag's last day as Battalion Chief was Thursday. Earlier in the afternoon, shifts from the three stations celebrated over hot wings for lunch and drove him home on a fire truck at night, a tradition Haag began years ago.