LYNNFIELD — The town of Lynnfield hosted its annual First Responders’ Day observerance and community cookout at the Town Common Monday evening, honoring first responders and commemorating the 9/11 tragedy.
The event featured remarks from Fire Chief Glenn Davis, Police Chief Nick Secatore and Select Board Chair Joseph Connell.
According to Connell, the event was created to recognize the valuable contributions of police officers, firefighters, military personnel, paramedics, medical evacuation pilots, dispatchers, nurses, doctors, emergency medical technicians and emergency managers.
“The backbone of our community’s safety is our first responders – the police, firefighters, emergency medical professionals and our dispatchers who work tirelessly each day to protect us from harm,” Connell said at the event. “We are privileged to pay tribute to these dedicated men and women at our annual celebration.”
Connell said that the first responders have a very powerful motto: “First in, last out.” According to him, they rush towards danger, while others flee, showing the true meaning of bravery.
“When there is a fight, a burglary, shots being fired, a building on fire, a bad accident, or any other sort of horrific emergency, most people run from these horrors,” Connell said. “Our first responders run towards them. They put their lives on the line daily to protect us from danger, and help when there is an emergency.”
Connell requested that residents actively recognize the work done by the town’s first responders. He said that their work continues to be more vital than ever.
“It is a calling,” Connell said. “And we salute our first responders who answer that call fearlessly and relentlessly. No matter how often that call comes – no matter how long and grueling the shift, no matter how severe the danger – they answer. We’re forever indebted to all the untold good that first responders do.”
The ceremony was followed by a cookout, featuring hamburgers and hot dogs, for those attending.
