BOSTON – Dozens attended the 130th Firemen’s Memorial procession in Jamaica Plain on Sunday to honor firefighters “who served with pride,” the Boston Fire Department said.
The Boston Fire Department Honor Guard led the procession to the Fireman’s Memorial at Forest Hills Cemetery, the department said in a tweet Sunday afternoon.
Several uniformed firefighters knelt to place flowers on the graves of firefighters who formerly worked with the Boston Fire Department.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston City Councilman Michael Flaherty were among the elected officials in attendance.
According to the Boston Fire Historical Society, the Fireman’s Monument at Forest Hills Cemetery in Jamaica Plain was dedicated in 1909 to the memory of Boston Fire Department firefighters who have died. It is located within the cemetery’s Fire Park, which was established in 1857 with enough space to accommodate 249 graves. The monument is 26 feet tall.
The first burials at the site were for two firefighters who died in the line of duty on May 2, 1858 at 133-139 Federal St., Downtown, according to the Boston Fire Historical Society. At the base of the four sides are bronze tablets depicting: a steam fire engine; a hook and ladder truck; a protective wagon; and a manual tub pump.
A beautiful day for the 130th Firefighters Memorial Sunday. The BFD Honor Guard led the procession as@MayorWujoined firefighters, family and friends to honor our firefighters who served with pride. Special thanks to Boston City Councilman Michael Flaherty, speaker of the day pic.twitter.com/kY1oZyIYVV
— Boston Fire Department (@BostonFire) June 11, 2023
An inscription at the bottom of the base of the monument reads: “In Memory of Departed Comrades. This monument is erected by the members and friends of the Boston Fire Department. June, 1909.”
Every year on the second Sunday in June, the Boston Fire Department Benevolent Association hosts a memorial service to honor the firefighters who are buried there and to pay tribute to all firefighters who have given their lives in the fire service, according to the Boston Fire. Historical Society
The Fire Department houses the remains of 137 members of the department, including 15 members who died in the line of duty. The most recent burial was in 2014, for Firefighter Michael R. Kennedy, Ladder Company 15, who died on March 29, 2014.
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Boston 25 News at Facebook i Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
©2023 Cox Media Group
