The Observation Deck

http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... morial-day

Wish the images were better...

This is a special and moving event.

All companies assembled at Station #1 and the firefighters brought out all the equipment. The Color Guard and the Red Hackle Pipes & Drum Band, along with veteran firefighters paraded into position in front of the fire station.

Father John Cregan, Captain Dennis Nebozuk made remarks and then Captain Nebozuk and Mayor George placed a wreath to honor fallen firefighters at the firefighter totem.

The mayor addressed those assembled and he and Captain Nebozuk presented Lakewood Catholic Academy student, Michael Kay as the Junior Fire Chief, who won the city-wide competition with his essay.

Westerly resident Jim Mittel read his original poem honoring the firefighters.

Father Cregan gave the closing benediction and the firefighters hosted an open house for all the guests.

I was glad I could attend.

dl meckes wrote:http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/dl-meckes/national-fallen-firefighter-memorial-day

Wish the images were better...

This is a special and moving event.

All companies assembled at Station #1 and the firefighters brought out all the equipment. The Color Guard and the Red Hackle Pipes & Drum Band, along with veteran firefighters paraded into position in front of the fire station.

Father John Cregan, Captain Dennis Nebozuk made remarks and then Captain Nebozuk and Mayor George placed a wreath to honor fallen firefighters at the firefighter totem.

The mayor addressed those assembled and he and Captain Nebozuk presented Lakewood Catholic Academy student, Michael Kay as the Junior Fire Chief, who won the city-wide competition with his essay.

Westerly resident Jim Mittel read his original poem honoring the firefighters.

Father Cregan gave the closing benediction and the firefighters hosted an open house for all the guests.

I was glad I could attend.

I'm really bummed that I had to miss it! But your photos are just great dl, and thanks for the write-up on the event.

Wish I could have written something that actually conveyed the emotion of the event.

There were so many camera people from the tv stations blocking visual access that it was difficult to get any photos.

This is a heartfelt ceremony. Oddly, but appropriately, the event began with silence, but for the squealing of one of those devices that indicate that a firefighter has fallen. Most of us would never have been aware of that particular sound and its meaning but for the coverage of the 9/11 attacks. That was the first time I ever heard that noise and I'll never forget it.

Justine-- This might be also appropriate on other campaign threads but it does fit in here.

We just had a ceremony for Fallen Firefighters, an annual ceremony within our own safety forces community and nationwide.

The Mayor and a regular Lakewood citizen each read poems that paid tribute in simple but timeless language.

Ceremonies such as this are so very important to the sinew and strength of our community.

I had a pleasant chat with one of our EMS firefighters who just happened to save my life a couple of years ago.

The Chief of Police was there to symbolize the chain link unity of safety forces protecting us.

Ed Fitzgerald---- Where were you?

Have you no respect at all for our safety forces?

We bowed our heads in recognition of 4 Lakewood firefighters who were killed on the job and for those in New York City.

Couldn't you have at least spared 45 minutes to show some respect?

Have you EVER shown up at these so simple, but so, very essential recognitions?

Stan Austin

For the record, Ed's reply to Stan's comments are here:
http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewt ... 2&start=15

Just wanted to link the two back together.