Honoring and remembering Bristol’s first responders

By Kelly Coccio, photos by Richard W Dionne Jr
Posted 6/13/18

On the morning of Sunday, June 10, the Bristol Fire Department, Division of Emergency Medical Services, and the Ladies Auxiliary met at St. Mary’s Church for a Mass to honor and remember the first …

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Honoring and remembering Bristol’s first responders

Posted

On the morning of Sunday, June 10, the Bristol Fire Department, Division of Emergency Medical Services, and the Ladies Auxiliary met at St. Mary’s Church for a Mass to honor and remember the first responders who have lost their lives this past year. Shortly after the Mass, the parade, led by Chairman Richard Ferreira, marched its way to Firemen’s Memorial Park on Thames Street.

Chairman Richard “Richie” Ferreira has been a member of the Defiance Hose Company No. 1 since 1972. Once at the park, Ladies Auxiliary member Victoria Carroll sang the National Anthem, followed by a performance from the Mystic Highland Pipe Band. Bristol Town Administrator Steven Contente gave opening remarks, and spoke of reminiscing on times spent at the firehouse, and keeping the spirit of the fallen brothers and sisters alive.

Arthur Sousa from the Defiance Hose Company No. 1 was then honored for having 80 years of service with the department. He joined the Bristol Fire Department on June 1, 1938, and is the town’s oldest firefighter, at the age of 99.

Assistant Chief AJ Medeiros continued the program with a touching and reflective speech. He said, “Each year, we come here and we pay our respects to the members who have passed. We come here and salute, we place a wreath, we listen to the bagpipes, and we reflect. We bow our heads and we pray, thinking of those loved ones. We remember the Chi-chis, the Frank Sousas, the Silvias, the Pellegrinos, and the Serbst’s. The Mike Andrades and the Vieiras. Their stories are still told.”

After the speech, the wreath-laying ceremony began, and those who lost their lives this past year were remembered and honored. From the Ever Ready Engine & Hose Company No. 2, Mr. Frank D. “Sabu” Puinello. From the Hydraulion Engine & Hose Company No. 1, Assistant Chief Dennis T. Labao. From the Dreadnaught Hook, Ladder & Hose Company No. 1, Gerald Anthony Mederos. From the Ladies Auxiliary, Albertina “Tina” Castro. Wreaths were laid by each department, and Taps was played by Steve Skuba. Time stood still at the park as everyone bowed their head in silence, and reflected and remembered the lives of those who have passed.

Elisabeth O’Loughlin, president of the Ladies Auxiliary, then presented the Vickie Van Voast Memorial Award. The Vicky Van Voast Memorial Award Committee was established in 2007 to select and honor one individual annually who exemplifies the same qualities of community spirit, volunteerism, and above all else dedication to the Bristol Volunteer Fire Department that was characterized by one of the Auxiliary’s charter members, Victoria Van Voast.

This year’s recipient was Michael Hoffman, who was honored for his character, generosity and commitment to our community. Mr. Hoffman is a Life member of the Hydraulion Engine & Hose Company No. 1, a member of the Fire Police, a member of Habitat for Humanity, on the Board of Trustees at Mount Hope Farm, and a sponsor of the Community String Project, just to name a few.

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