Swampscott dedicates memorial to firefighters

SWAMPSCOTT-A new monument honoring six local firefighters who died in the line of duty was dedicated in a solemn and moving ceremony Saturday morning.The VFW #1240 Color Guard and firefighters assembled at the monument, where Amanda Richard performed the “National Anthem” and Acting Chief Michal Champion greeted those in attendance in his opening remarks.The monument, which was commissioned by Swampscott Firefighters Local 1459, is located on a grassy area in front of the station. Fire Capt. Kevin Thompson said the monument honors 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.Chief George P. Cahoon died March 24, 1919 when he suffered a stroke on duty and Firefighter Everett E. Smith died July 29, 1912 from injuries he sustained while fighting a fire in a coal shed on Columbia Avenue.Rev. Dean Peterson offered the opening prayer and spoke about the ultimate sacrifice those being honored made. Capt. Kevin Thompson read “The Last Alarm” and Lynn Acting Fire Chief Dennis Carmody read the “Firefighters Prayer.”One of the most moving portions of the ceremony was the sounding of the 5-5-5-5 signal. After the brief memorial service, Champion said ringing the bell five times, four consecutive times, is referred to as the 5-5-5-5 sequence and it’s a tradition steeped in history. He explained before two-way radios and telephones, fire boxes were the primary means of communication and when a firefighter died in the line of duty the fire alarm office would tap out a special signal. He said it was five measured dashes, a pause, five measured dashes, a pause and so on.?It became known as the Tolling of the Bell,” he said. “It has become a time-honored tradition to honor firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice.”Lynn Fire Lt. Kevin Cronin played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes just before the unveiling of the monument. The monument, which is made of black granite, was created by Woodlawn Memorials in Everett. The monument sports a three-dimensional, sculpted, old-style fire helmet on top of the monument.DeFilippo said the helmet was 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.”The monument is made of black granite. It stands approximately five feet tall, two and a half feet wide and 10-inches deep.