Funeral Home Donates Memorial Flag For Pittsfield Firefighter Funerals
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — When Anthony Simeone's funeral procession traveled down Columbus Avenue, fire trucks were pulled outside Fire Department headquarters and firefighters gave a final salute.
The Fire Department provides honor guards at wakes and funerals, drives trucks in the procession, and sounds a final alarm for former members of the department who died.
Simeone had been a firefighter for 18 years and, after he retired in 1982, he continued to work closely with the department to help businesses with fire prevention as a representative for the Pittsfield Fire and Safety Co. fire extinguisher and fire safety consulting company.
"He was very proud to be a fireman," said his wife, Lina Simeone.
Simeone said the Fire Department's involvement in the funeral "means the world to me. It means the world to my husband."
John Bresnahan of Devanny-Condron Funeral Home noticed at the funeral that a flag he donated a few years ago needed to be replaced.
On Wednesday, Simeone and Bresnahan delivered a new "in memoriam" flag to the department to fly during all firefighter funerals.
"It's a memorial flag. It is a sign of honor. We will fly it under the American flag," Bresnahan said.
Fire Chief Robert Czerwinski says the department always shows its respect and appreciation for former firefighters by honoring them at funerals. But, it is more than just that — it is helping the families left behind.
"That's one of the things we are proud of, to support these families. We make it known to them that if they need a hand, call us," Czerwinski said. "We don't just let these people go off. She's got this network of people to support her."
The new flag was delivered by Bresnahan on Wednesday to headquarters and was received by Fire Department personnel Kevin Brady, Kendric Reese, Christopher LeBlanc, Czerwinski, Deputy Chief Andrew Stephenson, Paul Zwingelstein, and Capt. Tim Miller.
Tags: firefighters, funeral, memorial,
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