Fallen Firefighters Honored at 27th Annual Memorial Mass

The Bridgeport Area Retired Firefighters held their annual memorial service Tuesday night at St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church on South Pine Creek Road.  This year marks the 27th year that the group has honored their brothers who have fallen in the line of duty and all area firefighters who died in the past year.

Traffic was stopped for a short period of time on South Pine Creek Road while the procession made its way from a side street onto South Pine Creek Road and then to the front, and inside, the church.  The Connecticut Firefighters Pipes and Drum unit, consisting of nine bagpipe players and three drummers from various departments, led the procession with a musical tribute.

A group of retired Bridgeport area firefighters, sporting uniform-style polo shirts, began the march and were then followed by firefighters in dress uniforms from the fire companies of Fairfield, Westport, Bridgeport, Stratford, Nichols, Long Hill, and finally Southport. Each unit was delineated by a team carrying American and town flags, as well as hatchets and rifles.

Once inside the church, the audience of current and retired firefighters and their families listened to Rev. John Baran of St. Anthony's as he spoke about firefighters.  "Firefighters come from all walks of life...but they all have one thing in common - you all know how to tell a good story."  This produced a few chuckles from the audience, but Baran continued, explaining how firefighters become great storytellers because of the nature of their job and all of its waiting.  "Eventually it becomes the stories of heroes and legends,"  he said, mentioning how firefighters never forget each other and the sacrifices they make.

After the homily, a moving tribute was held for those who lost their lives in the line of duty from Bridgeport area fire departments.  The men who were honored died as far back as 1894 and included one who was killed on 9/11 from the Bridgeport Fire Department.  Firefighters carried a helmet representing the deceased and marched down the aisle to ring a bell at the altar.  A reading of the names of the recently deceased (two from the Fairfield Fire Department) was also held.  Following the readings were prayers, along with musical tributes.  The Connecticut Firefighters Pipes and Drums' rendition of "Amazing Grace" brought tears to the eyes of many attendees.

The annual event changes location each year and is expected to be held in Westport in 2011.