Event honors memory of ‘courageous firefighters’

ORANGE — Members of the Orange Volunteer Fire Department gathered this week to remember local firefighters who have died, the annual event moved from Memorial Day because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Had it not been for their contributions, we wouldn’t have the foundation we have today,” Fire Chief Vaughan Dumas said at the event.

Those in attendance stood quietly with their heads bowed, their faces masked and with distance between them.

Dumas said the service couldn’t be held on Memorial Day because of the pandemic, but that Tuesday was an appropriate day because it came in the middle of National Fallen Firefighters week, which runs from Sept. 27 through Oct. 4.

In addition, Dumas thanked firefighters for participating in a state ceremony that added Fire Marshal Tim Smith to a memorial list at the Connecticut Fire Academy in Windsor Locks. Smith died in a motor vehicle accident in the line of duty in January.

In addition to Smith, Elfo Pol’s name was added to the list of firefighters being remembered. Pol died in June.

The Rev. Norman Brockett, pastor at Holy Infant Parish and a Fire Department chaplain, offered prayers, citing the firefighters’ work as inspirational.

“We can never repay the sacrifices of these courageous firefighters,” Brockett said.

“We only acknowledge that they gave all for us. Help us to go forward today having received from these short moments of prayer and meditation a small measure of personal aspiration to be like them in daily small ways.”

Contributed photo Firefighter Nicholas Brown bows his head as he stands next to the memorial wreath as Orange firefighters celebrated members who have died.