Fallen, not forgotten in Saugus

SAUGUS – It?s been a tradition since 1931 that Saugus firefighters gather to remember their brothers who have passed on, either in the line of duty or of natural causes.Sunday morning, they gathered at the central fire station on Hamilton Street to continue that tradition.The solemn, half-hour ceremony paid tribute to firefighters who have died both in the line of duty and of natural causes since the department was established in 1811.As fire department personnel and an honor guard stood at attention, speakers paid their respects throughout the ceremony. Firefighters also raised the flag at half-staff in front of the station. Firefighter Anthony Arone rang a bell in memory of each firefighter while firefighter Chris Rizza read the names. Three firefighters – Captain Edward J. MacTague (1931), Chief Mellon R. Joy (1935) and William Cecieta (1994) – have died in the line of duty.Chief Don McQuaid said it was important to acknowledge wives and children who sacrificed birthday parties, Christmases and other celebrations without their loved ones present, whether they were on-duty, injured or hospitalized.?Every firefighter at one time or another has been injured – some minor and some very serious,” McQuaid said from the podium, which read “Saugus Fire saving lives and property since 1811.”?It is always the wives and families who step up during these difficult times.”McQuaid said none of his “brothers,” as he identifies them, have died since last year?s ceremony and that he wishes it were the case every year.He went on to say firefighting is a tough job but the best job in the world, in his opinion.?You come in the morning, and you have no idea what your day will be like,” he said. “It may be quiet or five minutes after you step in the door, you may be dispatched to a building fire, a water rescue or a bad motor vehicle accident.”McQuaid explained how firefighters make traditions and pass them along to the new guys. He thanked them for all they?ve done for the department and civilians.McQuaid also thanked the retirees and their families for attending the event.Former Capt. Bill O?Malley, who served 36 years, first as firefighter, then lieutenant and captain before retiring in 2004, worked with about 50 men who were remembered from 1982 to 2013. Most died of natural causes, while only Cecieta died on the job, O?Malley said.?I can?t believe how many of these guys I worked with,” O?Malley said after the ceremony, pointing to the list. “Chief Thomas A. Nolan was the first call I ever took in 1982 when his wife called the station saying he had a heart attack. He and other guys had fire-related injuries or died younger than they should have.”During the ceremony, O?Malley read a prayer he wrote asking God to protect the firefighters who risk their lives daily for the community and to welcome into his kingdom his beloved brothers who died.Deputy Chief Mike Newbury presented firefighter Greg Cinelli with the Thomas R. Linskey Award of Merit, which is the highest departmental award a firefighter can receive. It is awarded to a firefighter who performs a life-saving rescue or who goes above and beyond the call of duty.?There are 50 guys on this department who could have easily ended up with this award,” Cinelli said. “I can?t say thank you enough. I?m honored to work with all of you.”Cinelli read the firefighter?s prayer “To be a fireman” by the former New York City Fire Department Chief Edward F. Croker.?Our proudest moment is to save lives,” Cinelli read. “Under the impulse of such thoughts the nobility of the occupation thrills us and stimulates us to deeds of daring, even of ultimate sacrifice.”