Whitestone firefighters remember comrades

by Laurel Campbell

Oct 10, 2007

DUNCHURCH – Flags were lowered to half mast at the Dunchurch Community Centre on Sunday, Oct. 7 in memory of firefighters who lost their lives protecting the lives and property of others.

The Whitestone fire department initiated the annual Firefighters’ Memorial Day in 2002 following the events of Sept. 11, 2001 in New York City when fighting the effects of the World Trade Centre attacks resulted in the loss of hundreds of firefighters, both full time and volunteer.

“Firefighters and their families should be recognized for their continuous heroic acts and commitments to their fellowman,” said Whitestone councillor Joe Lamb, who led the memorial service.

Reading from the municipality’s proclamation, Lamb said, “firefighters place themselves in dangerous situations in the fulfillment of their duties. Over the years, nearly 1,000 Ontario firefighters have fallen in the performance of their duties. Their service and sacrifice has become more evident as we contemplate the terrorist attacks of 9/11.”

The Municipality of Whitestone has acted on the province’s Bill 107, an Act to Proclaim Fire Fighter Memorial Day, and “therefore the council of the municipality reverently hereby proclaims Oct. 7, 2007 and subsequent first Sundays in October in subsequent years, as our municipality’s Fire Fighter Memorial Day,” said Lamb.

Whitestone’s fire department, including Mayor Chris Armstrong, was in full dress uniform for the event and stood at attention as members of the Dunchurch Legion lowered the cenotaph flag.

Rev. Ratna Arasaratnam of the Dunchurch United Church also took part in the service calling firefighters “courageous to be part of a mission of protection,” and prayed that “they be given wisdom and courage as they have committed themselves for the sake of others.”

This year’s Memorial Day service was made even more poignant for the Whitestone Fire-Rescue Department as members remembered their fellow firefighter Louise Woods who died recently from illness.

“We especially remember her today,” said Arasaratnam, “because she was a part of the family of firefighters so she was able to share her gifts with this community.”

In 2006 15 Canadian firefighters lost their lives, six of them in Ontario. So far this year, six firefighters have died in the line of duty, four in Ontario.