"Today we pay our respect and say 'thank you' to those who sacrificed their own safety to save the lives and property of the citizens of Columbus."
Those words coming from Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman at the Columbus Division of Fire's annual firefighter memorial that took place downtown Sunday. The ceremony honored firefighters, active or retired, who have died in the last year. Although most of those lost were retired, any firefighter will tell you it's a kinship that never ends.
"We live together, we work together," said Chief Gregory Paxton, explaining the ties that bind firefighters so uniquely. "Regrettably we sometimes we get hurt and experience tragedy together."
None of the 25 firefighters remembered died in the line of duty, but two were in the midst of their careers. Those in uniform Sunday all possess a bravery few of us have to summon ever, let alone daily.
"They live every day knowing that they might be sent into a burning building," Mayor Coleman pointed out, "and might never come out." Mayor Coleman made it clear that his gratitude and appreciation are as much personal as professional, explaining that he, himself, has been involved in two fires, and knows the overwhelming relief at the sound of approaching fire apparatus and personnel.
The ceremony included speeches, playing of bagpipes, and a tolling of a bell 25 times, signaling the "Last Alarm," for each of the following:
Deputy Chief Charles Bardocz
Lieutenant Howard Chamberlain
Firefighter Gordon Coe
Firefighter John C. Cox
Firefighter Wayne Fisher
Lieutenant Loren Goen
Firefighter Thomas Guth
Lieutenant John Hall
Captain Robert Hathaway
Battalion Chief Jack Hulls
Firefighter Richard Jones
Firefighter Charles Kaiser
Firefighter Stanley Korpieski
Firefighter Anthony LoSchiavo
Lieutenant John McCarty
Firefighter Virgil Moore
Firefighter Bryan Oiler
Firefighter Louis O'Rourke
Firefighter William Palmer
Firefighter Klaus Parker
Firefighter Larry Patrick
Lieutenant Edward Reid
Lieutenant Martin Shields
Firefighter Albert Straub
Firefighter Howard Tucker
As Chief Paxton put it so succinctly yet eloquently, "Some people have spent their entire lives serving the community, fighting fires, and we acknowledge them today."
