Adams Alerts Observe Firefighter Sunday
 |
ADAMS, Mass. — The Adams Fire Department and Alert Hose Company held a ceremony for fallen firefighters Sunday morning at Bellevue Cemetery.
Foreman Mike Therrien welcomed friends and fellow firefighters to the ceremony and discussed the strong brotherhood firefighters have.
"Although the technology and equipment have changed through the years, there is one thing that has never changed and that is the brotherhood of being an alert," Therrien said. "Today, as in years passed, the company is made up of individuals with different backgrounds, family structures, and beliefs, however, when we are called to service we come together ... and find a remedy for the situation."
Guest speaker Chief Richard Kolomay of the Carol Stream, Ill., Fire Department talked about the importance of the firefighter brotherhood.
"What we are all about as a brotherhood is not just within the Alerts," Kolomay said. "It's all over the world within the fire service, and we come together with a brotherhood and a sisterhood that is so great."
Kolomay added the importance of leadership, command, duty, and trust in firefighters must exercise to be successful.
"Our citizenship will know that we will be there in their worst day, and we will make it as good as we can to stop disaster from happening within their lives," he said. "Whether it be a pot of meat burning on the stove or it’s their own home on fire, we will try to make good as best we can."
Kolomay concluded the memorial ceremony by talking about loss.
“Between 2008 and 2012…I lost four of my best friends,” he said. “…They were all firefighters;…it challenges you in life whether or not you can keep moving forward, and you can.
Before the ceremony, the firefighters attended a Mass at St. Stanislaus' Church followed by breakfast at the Elks lodge.
Fire Departments across the country honor their deceased during Firefighter Sunday each year.
Tags: firefighter, observance, recognition event,
