MA Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony Honors 29 Heroes
By Priscilla Liguori
9-11-2014
On September 11th, a day of remembrance, the bell in Ashburton Park tolled 29 times. Each toll was for a firefighter added to the Massachusetts Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
The 7th Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony honored two firefighters killed March 26th on Beacon Street in Boston.
“Lt. Edward Walsh Junior and Firefighter Michael Kennedy were killed in the line of duty in a 9-alarm fire,” stated Firefighter A. Michael Mullane, 3rd District Vice President of the International Association of Firefighters.
The families of Walsh and Kennedy laid roses next to both of their names on the memorial. The special tribute left many firefighters and guests emotional.
“A role model to the whole family. Really a hero to us before he was a hero to the rest of the world. He’s missed every day,” Worcester Firefighter Paul McCaffrey said about his cousin Walsh.
The memorial ceremony also honored past, present, and future Massachusetts firefighters and heroes from September 11, 2001.
“Many of the men and women here today here in uniform travelled to New York in the days that followed and played a pivotal role in the search and rescue efforts at Ground Zero,” stated Marshal Stephen D. Coan, President of the Memorial’s Board of Directors.
“We thank you for that example of service and sacrifice, and it’s an honor to be in your presence,” Governor Deval Patrick said to the firefighters.
Also in attendance were the state officials.
The memorial includes the names of 870 heroes.