Hastings Firefighters Remember their Own

Rivertowns Memorial Day activities kicked off early this year with a service held in remembrance of members of the Hastings Fire Department who either died in the last year or while serving the department.

In addition to the chief, assistant chiefs and officers of the volunteer fire department, Mayor Peter Swiderski, Trustees Jerry Quinlin and Meg Walker, Deputy Village Manager Susan Maggiatto and Fire Department Secretary Jean Schnibbe were also present.

Once Fire chief  Ron Gagliardi had introduced his assistant chiefs and officers, Mayor Peter Swiderski addressed the crowd, urging them to remember that Memorial Day "is not just theoretical--for many in this country it is more real, more immediate, as blood continues to spill on our behalf."

Father James Smyth of St. Matthews church delivered a blessing, whose message echoed the mayor's sentiment. "Take time to uplift the hearts of those who are grieving," he said. "Let us seek peace and non-violent resolution to conflict."

Roses were then placed on the Hastings Memorial to honor George Capuano and Antonio Fernandez, both members of the fire department who died during the last year.  

The final five roses were then placed on the stone monument in honor of Lieutenant Francis Miller, Fire Police Captain Louis Ciardullo, Captain Colin Fell, Lieutenant Robert Peters and Battalion Chief Robert J. Schnibbe Jr., all of whom were members of the Hastings Fire Department who died while serving the village.  

The ceremony closed with Tom Drake playing taps as the officers and chiefs performed a detailed "attention" and hand salute.  

"For us in the department, the meaning of Memorial is two-fold," Gagliardi said after the service. It reminds us of soldiers who died serving our country and also members of the fire department who gave their lives serving the village.