Boston Globe coverage of Boston firefighter's funeral...

[Beemerguy53]

For 30 years, it was my great honor and privilege to be a member of the Baltimore City Fire Department. (I used to tell people that I had the best job in the world: I got paid to make noise, squirt water, and break things, which is every little boy's dream job.)

In the course of my career, I met firefighters from all over the world, from England, the Bahamas, Germany, Spain, Central America, Japan...and while the languages, uniforms, and equipment are different, the guys are the same: Proud, profane, funny, politically incorrect, bawdy, hardworking, committed, and action-oriented...but the thing that impressed me most about the fire service was the sense of brotherhood I experienced, the knowledge that I was part of a community greater than any one individual.

Lt. Ed Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy, members of the Boston Fire Department, were killed in the line of duty earlier this week, and laid to rest on Wednesday and Thursday. Firefighters from around the world went to Boston to pay their respects to our fallen brothers.

The link below takes you to the photos of Lt. Walsh's funeral, published by the Boston Globe. (The little boy in turnout gear is Lt. Walsh's nephew.)

The funeral of Edward Walsh Jr. (Photo 1 of 46) - Pictures - The Boston Globe

 

[inspcalahan]

Thank you for your service. I definitely get what you mean about the family feel worldwide. It's so very true, I believe, with all areas of public and military service. One's counterparts around the globe are much the same when you get down to the basics.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Beemerguy53]

Thank you for your service. I definitely get what you mean about the family feel worldwide. It's so very true, I believe, with all areas of public and military service. One's counterparts around the globe are much the same when you get down to the basics.

Thanks for sharing.

And thank you for your service, sir.

I think it's that sense of shared experience that brings people together who, on the surface, might not have much in common. We all have had the same things happen to us, felt the same emotions, the same highs and lows.

My family was represented almost continuously in the Baltimore City Fire Department from 1895 to 2004. My great-uncle, who retired in 1965 and died in 1983, used to tell me how much he loved his job, and his stories and memories were similar to those I now share with my sons.

It's definitely the same way with military service. I was privileged recently to witness a conversation between three US Navy veterans: A sailor from World War II, a recently retired Admiral, and a young active-duty petty officer. Despite big differences in age and race, they chatted like old friends...it was heartwarming to behold.

I hope the outpouring of support for the families of Lt. Walsh and FF Kennedy helps to ease the pain their families and colleagues are enduring...

 

[shouldazagged]

I love to see this for police funerals as well, especially for officers who died in the line of duty. One can only hope it stirs the non-LEO or -firefighter community to appreciate how their front-line protectors sacrifice to keep them safe.

 

[Jessie]

I love to see this for police funerals as well, especially for officers who died in the line of duty. One can only hope it stirs the non-LEO or -firefighter community to appreciate how their front-line protectors sacrifice to keep them safe.

Oh, we do. We have rivalries at times but when things get serious ,as in the military, ranks are joined and backs are covered no matter the branch or job.
LODDs are a very serious and heartfelt event.
( LODD is Line Of Duty Death )

 

[Beemerguy53]

I love to see this for police funerals as well, especially for officers who died in the line of duty. One can only hope it stirs the non-LEO or -firefighter community to appreciate how their front-line protectors sacrifice to keep them safe.

Many years ago, I had a neighbor (a biologist by profession) who used to chide me about what he thought was my cushy job. He used to tease me about how nice it must be to sleep at work and eat a nice meal and watch television, etc. At the time, I was assigned to an engine company in the 'hood that was getting about 3300 calls per year; serious fires and high risk work were part of our daily routine, and we neither cooked nor slept at that station. I used to laugh off Bill's comments...

In November of 1985 my friend and co-worker Lt. Nelson Taylor was killed in the line of duty. I was deeply affected by his death, and I think about him often to this day.

Several months after Nelson's passing, my neighbor started with his teasing again. This time, I looked directly at him, and told him that yeah, we might actually have a night now and then when I can lay my head down for an hour or so, and once in a while I might get to eat a meal without interruption....but the real difference between my job and his was that when I left for work and kissed my wife and children goodbye, I was always aware that it might really be the last time they see me. After that, Bill never teased me again...

The link below is for the website of Baltimore's Engine 8 and Truck 10, and their page dedicated to our fallen brothers...

Tribute -

 

[GaryS]

I didn't go to either of these funerals, but I've gone too all to many in the past. At least in Boston and eastern MA, they are elaborate affairs. In fact, they are all day affairs. We used to have roll call at the rally point at about 0600 and then just go on from there.

Very impressive affairs, but I could never help but get the feeling that we'd all be happier if there was no need for a funeral that day.

I ran a lot of calls over the years with E33 and L15. That's kind of a "Hollywood" station since it's on a major street in Boston with a lot of tourist foot traffic. Of all of the stations, I think they had the most visitors just stopping by to say hello.

A sad irony is the Michael Kennedy was assigned to Ladder 15, but was detailed across the floor to Engine 33 to cover for a guy on vacation. He was in the basement and on the nozzle because he wanted to be and the FF who would normally have been there let him go in since he didn't many opportunities because he was a ladder guy.

Fate is sometimes cruel.

 

[Beemerguy53]

I didn't go to either of these funerals, but I've gone too all to many in the past. At least in Boston and eastern MA, they are elaborate affairs. In fact, they are all day affairs. We used to have roll call at the rally point at about 0600 and then just go on from there.

Very impressive affairs, but I could never help but get the feeling that we'd all be happier if there was no need for a funeral that day.

I ran a lot of calls over the years with E33 and L15. That's kind of a "Hollywood" station since it's on a major street in Boston with a lot of tourist foot traffic. Of all of the stations, I think they had the most visitors just stopping by to say hello.

A sad irony is the Michael Kennedy was assigned to Ladder 15, but was detailed across the floor to Engine 33 to cover for a guy on vacation. He was in the basement and on the nozzle because he wanted to be and the FF who would normally have been there let him go in since he didn't many opportunities because he was a ladder guy.

Fate is sometimes cruel.

One of the news stories about this incident noted that FF Kennedy was riding in the lead-off position on the engine, but wanted to take the pipe instead. Yes, a sad twist of fate...

 

[Engine 21]

I've been to too many of these funerals. My biggest fear was ordering men into harms way and losing them. I never told anyone of that fear until the day I retired and a Lieutenant that worked an Engine company looked at me and said "me too"

The tough part is you can lose good men in the blink of an eye and it is just fate. BFD lost two good men today.

 

[Beemerguy53]

I've been to too many of these funerals. My biggest fear was ordering men into harms way and losing them. I never told anyone of that fear until the day I retired and a Lieutenant that worked an Engine company looked at me and said "me too"

The tough part is you can lose good men in the blink of an eye and it is just fate. BFD lost two good men today.

In my thirty-year career in Baltimore, there were 16 line-of-duty deaths, and there were many, many more incidents where our brothers were spared only by dumb luck or the grace of God...

I am so grateful to have survived my career relatively unscathed, and to have never lost one of my guys...

 

[tlay]

Thanks to all of the men and women who will brave going into what others will run from. I have seen more than my share of heartbreak from many families both from the military and fire department. And I will bet my life that if you ask every firefighter and police if they could do anything else, they would say they would not! God bless the guys that paid the ultimate price.

 

[skeetshooter]

For they truly do, LOVE ONE ANOTHER
God Speed you Brave Men