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IN MEMORIAM
WE WILL NEVER FORGET
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TOLLING OF THE BELL
Long before the Internet was invented, or telephones and radios were used across
our great nation, fire departments used the telegraph to communicate - using
special codes to receive fire alarms from those once-familiar red fire alarm
boxes which stood on practically every street corner of America.
When a firefighter was killed, or in the language of the military and public
safety: "fell", in the line of duty, the fire alarm office would tap out a
special signal. This would be tapped out as five measured dashes - then a pause
- then five measured dashes - then a pause - then five more measured dashes.
This came to be called the Tolling of the Bell and was broadcast over the
telegraph fire alarm circuits to all station houses in the vicinity. Heard
outside on the streets - with the fire department's windows open, the resonating
echo was similar to that of fire stations of old where fire alarm gongs sounded
the locations of thousands of emergencies throughout the history of our growing
country.
This was done for the purpose
of notification, and as a sign of honor and respect for all firefighters who had
made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities. Such symbolism has
been a time-honored fire service tradition and is repeated at each service of a
fallen firefighter.
PLEASE JOIN US AS THE BELLS
TOLL FOR OUR FELLOW FIREFIGHTERS LISTED BELOW WHO HAVE MADE THE ULTIMATE
SACRIFICE.
M. MILLARD PURCELL
1915-2004
WILSON "SKIP" STRONG
1966 - 2005
PETER CAUDILL
1953 - 2006
JOSEPH GRAY
1921 - 2007
A Fireman's Prayer
When I am called to duty, God,
Whenever flames may rage;
Give me strength to save some life,
Whatever be its age.
Help me embrace a little child
Before it is too late
Or save an older person
From the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert
And hear the weakest shout,
And quickly and efficiently
To put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling
And to give the best in me
To guard my every neighbor
And protect his property.
And if, according to my fate,
I am to lose my life,
Please bless with your protecting
My children and my wife.
- Author Unknown
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