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New Hampshire Fallen Firefighters Memorial Dedication Ceremony
September 10, 2006

September 10, 2006, was a comfortable sunny day with an occasional white fluffy cloud floating by, perfect weather for the dedication of the New Hampshire Fallen Firefighters Memorial.  The service would be the culmination of almost a decade of planning and seven months of construction.  Today we would honor those who have lost their lives in service to their communities and honor their families.

The dedication service was preceded by the annual New Hampshire State Fireman’s Association parade that would proceed from Sam’s Club south on Sheep Davis Road (NH Rt-106) to the Fire Academy grounds, home of the NH Fallen Firefighters Memorial.  Fire apparatus, color guards, and marching firefighters from all over New Hampshire would march under the garrison flag suspended by two aerial ladders signifying the end of the parade and the beginning of the memorial service.

At 11:00am Paul Fortier Chief Berlin Fire Department (ret) serving as the moderator requested all to rise for the presentation of colors. 

The Color Guard was made up of Honor Guard members representing Bedford, Concord, and Hooksett Fire Departments. After the flags were raised the National Anthem was performed by Captain Meredith Lund of the New Hampshire Fire Academy, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance lead by Captain Gary Lambert of Hooksett Fire Department, who also served as Memorial Chairman. Chaplain Patricia Bona offered the invocation leading to the lighting of the eternal flame.

Director Richard Mason of the New Hampshire Fire Academy led off with a welcome message followed by remarks from New Hampshire Governor John Lynch and Department of Safety Commissioner Richard Flynn.  Each message echoed the spirit of New Hampshire’s fire service, businesses, and public officials on contributing to the construction of the Memorial.

During a more solemn part of the service, the names of all New Hampshire’s firefighters who appear on the granite tablets would be read for the first time.  These names date back to 1886 thru the latest addition in 2006.  Joseph Cain Chief, Manchester Fire Department, representing NH Committee of Merit was first to read followed by Scott Wiggin Chief, Bedford Fire Department who was representing the NH State Fireman’s Association.  They were followed by David Duquette Captain Dover Fire and Rescue representing Professional Firefighters of NH and Richard Mason Director of the NH Fire Academy representing NH Chiefs Association.

Following the reading of the names echoed the sound of the church bell that has become the centerpiece of the Memorial as three rounds of Box 22 were sounded for the final alarm.  A bugler then sounded taps as uniformed personnel rendered a final salute followed by PFFNH Pipes and Drums playing Amazing Grace.

Chaplain Bona offered the benediction followed by the recessional of the color guard and pipes and drum leading to the conclusion of the service.

The Dedication Service marked the end of a quest from a decade ago to establish a place where we can pay honors and reflect on the memories of our brothers and sisters who have made the supreme sacrifice and a beginning of an annual time to celebrate their lives and their contribution to New Hampshire’s Fire Service.