Swampscott to unveil firefighters monument June 19

SWAMPSCOTT-A new monument honoring six local firefighters who died in the line of duty will be unveiled on June 19 at 11 a.m.The monument, which was commissioned by Swampscott Firefighters Local 1459, will be installed on the grassy area in front of the station on the side of the building closest to the police station.The monument was created by Woodlawn Memorials in Everett. Dave DeFilippo, the owner of Woodlawn Memorials, said there is a three-dimensional, sculpted, old-style fire helmet sitting on top of the monument.DeFilippo said the helmet was being carved in China but most of the monument was made in Vermont.?The workmanship is incredible,” he said. “It looks like you could walk over, pick the helmet up and put it on your head.”Fire Captain Kevin Thompson said the monument pays tribute to six firefighters killed in the line of duty in town. William J. Pratt, a World War II veteran, was killed Dec. 3, 1946 while fighting a fire in town and Ralph Owens, a World War I veteran, was killed April 29, 1953 while fighting a fire just a month prior to his retirement.Firefighter Albert Lalime survived the bombing of Pearl Harbor and died in the line of duty Nov. 21, 1972. Firefighter Herve LeBlanc, who was a firefighter from Lynn, suffered a fatal heart attack during a mutual aid response in Swampscott.Thompson said those were four names that were to be included on the monument but after it was commissioned, the department discovered two other firefighters who had died in the line of duty almost 100 years ago.?We were able to get their names added to the stone,” he said.Thompson said Chief George P. Cahoon died March 24, 1919 when he suffered a stroke on duty and Firefighter Everett E. Smith died July 29, 1912 fighting a fire in a coal shed on Columbia Avenue.?He (Smith) received a head injury while he was fighting the fire,” Thompson said. “He died a few hours later from the head injury.”The monument is made of black granite. It stands approximately five feet tall, two and a half feet wide and 10-inches deep. In October 2009, the selectmen unanimously approved installation of the monument, which is being paid for by the union.The dedication ceremony, which will be held at the fire department, is open to the public and Thompson encouraged relatives of all past members of the department to attend.