My wife, upon hearing this week's theme, knew exactly what my post should be about, and I agreed.
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On December 3, 1999, a fire broke out in a warehouse in Worcester, Massachusetts. Tragically, six Firefighters lost their lives battling the terrible blaze.
Lieutenant Thomas Spencer, 42; Firefighter James Lyons, 34; Firefighter Paul Brotherton, 41; Firefighter Timothy Jackson, 51; Firefighter Jeremiah Lucey, 38; Firefighter Joseph McGuirk, 38.
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This fire hit close to home for us, literally. We live in a smaller town that borders Worcester. These were firemen in our community, and it was a truly shocking, sad, horrible time. I cannot believe it will be ten years this December.
I don't want to post a long summary of that day's events, or pictures of the fire. Instead, here are some links to more comprehensive sites you can view.
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The Fallen Heroes
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Worcester Telegram & Gazette - Warehouse Tragedy
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The Worcester Firefighters' Remembrance Wall Unveiled
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The Worcester Fire Fighters Memorial Photo Gallery
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The Leary Firefighters Foundation
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Wikipedia Page on The Worcester Cold Storage Fire
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Our deepest gratitude goes to these six men, who gave their lives for their community, and for all fire fighters who do the same every day.
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Like the Warwick RI fire at the nightclub, I recall this. We were new to New England at the time. Several of my friends were firemen, now retired. Tough tough job.
ReplyDeleteA very sad and tragic loss. These brave men are all heros.
ReplyDeletehave a huge place in my heart for firemen. my grandad was one and they gave him the honor treatment when he passed away. i remember as a young lad driving passed guys in uniform saluting and ladder trucks blocking intersections on the way to the cemetery. thanks.
ReplyDeleteFiremen are the best. I have great respect for them and these great characters are always the first ones on the scene in an emergency.
ReplyDeleteThis is really sad.Firemen are really brave,this is a dangerous job but so beautiful.Thanks for sharing this and remembering those beautiful heroes.
ReplyDeleteGood tribute to the brave firemen. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful tribute to men who gave up their lives. You do them proud.
ReplyDeleteKat
Hi! Caffeinated Joe,
ReplyDeleteI have a fear of fire.
Because once a fire start to spread
it 's basically difficult to control. I agree with the other commenters, firemen are "unsong" heroes.
The six Firefighters, who(m) lost their lives battling the terrible blaze in Worcester, Massachusetts...
...The firemen on 911...
and my brother, childhood friend was a fireman, who(m) lost his life in the line of duty.(Bravery)
Deedee ;-D
Not to be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteWe should give praise for our fire personnel whether they be paid or voluntary. Here in my New England town as in many across the country they are all voluntary.
A touching memorial dedicated to your valiant firefighters. We live in wildfire country. We so value our firefighter. My nephew is one. Such dangerous work but he loves it.
ReplyDeleteThat's really sad. Sometimes we need to be reminded though, to remember how dangerous fire can be.
ReplyDeleteI live in RI, and I remember that fire well. I have friends from up there, and one of them knew two of the firemen lost. Definitely a tragedy. And this was a great post on the "Fire" theme.
ReplyDeleteIt's always very sad when a firefighter loses his life. they risk their lives for others.
ReplyDeleteThey do indeed do a wonderful job and we'd be lost without them. Especially over here where the Rural Fire Service particularly are very dedicated. As Dakota says, most at the coalface of bushfires here are voluntary.
ReplyDeleteTragic, devastating, and yet the photos of the burning building are oddly beautiful. Hard to rectify that. Things that cause death and destruction should be ugly.
ReplyDeletemy friend's son is thinking of becoming a fireman and all I could think of is the danger, the toxic smoke, the danger!
ReplyDeleteit is a special spirit indeed who will selflessly do this job.
and lucky for us that they do!
The deaths make a bigger impact when they are in a small town. It is a very sad fact that firemen die. It would be much nicer to say thank you in person than to thank their memories.
ReplyDeleteA fine tribute...God bless all firefighters.
ReplyDeleteCalifornia Girl: Yeah, the Warwick fire was so horrible. So many lives lost.
ReplyDeleteWillow: Yes, they are.
Brian: Thanks for sharing that memory.
Clever Pup: Me, too.
Candie: Thanks for reading!
reyjr: Thank you.
Kat: Thank you, too.
Deedee: I agree!
Dakota Bear: They are volunteer in my town, as well. And I thank them!
Ronda: I wish your nephew the best, he is brave for choosing that profession.
Dot-Com: Definitely!
Roy: Very sad. Thanks for commenting.
Squirrel: Agreed!
Baino: Definitely takes a special kind of dedication.
DineometerDeb: Yes, fire can be strangely mesmerizing.
Colette: I wish him the best, whatever he chooses!
Michael: How very true.
Tom: Thanks for commenting!
What a beautiful post. Thank you, especially, for remembering each of the firefighters by name.
ReplyDeleteI was giggling, at my cousin's wedding, about all the insane cameraderie (sp?) between her new husband and all his station pals - but things like this help to explain it. Brothers in arms, indeed.
ReplyDeleteThat is a tragic story. Those men endanger their lives everyday. It is nice to know that there are people who will remember them...should anything happens. Like you and these six brave men.
ReplyDeletePeace and love
Thank you for honoring these men.
ReplyDeleteThe firemen are heroes here in Southern California. We seem to have so many fires here. Thank you for such a great tribute to our brave American heroes. They save many lives and property while putting their life on the line.
ReplyDeletePrayers go out to them all and their families.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
God bless.
Sandra: Thanks, they deserve to each be mentioned by name. :)
ReplyDeleteMegan: Yeah, definitely a 'brotherhood'.
Marianna: Thanks, they do need to be remembered, always.
katherinemisegades: Thank you for commenting.
Mrsupole: They do risk it all for the rest of us. :)
That is a tough memory to have. Monumental understatement, Im sure.
ReplyDeleteKudos for adding to their commemoration.
A very nice tribute. I agree with what everyone as already said, a tragic loss, beautifully remembered.
ReplyDelete