The Saint John Fire Department (SJFD) had the honour of
being the host fire department at the Canadian Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial
Ceremony, held on the grounds of the Parliament Hill in Ottawa on September 11,
2011.
Members of the SJFD were tasked with taking care of the
families of the 14 fallen fire fighters honoured in this year’s ceremony from
the time they arrived in Ottawa until their departure. This included picking
the families up at the airport and taking the families to all the functions
arranged during their stay in Ottawa.
Senior Fire Fighter Terry Graham of the SJFD, who died on a
call in 2008, was honoured at this year’s ceremony. Graham’s name has been
added to the Canadian Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial.
His worship Mayor Ivan Court and Father Doug McNeil, SJFD
Chaplin, took part in the chapel service held for the families of the fallen
fire fighters. Mayor Court and Father McNeil were seated along with many
dignitaries from across Canada on the stage during the Memorial Service held on
Parliament Hill.
Acting Fire Chief Kevin Clifford addressed the families of
the 14 fallen fire fighters and the assembled audience at the memorial.
Approximately 40 fire fighters from Saint John took part in
the parade of hundreds of fire fighters onto Parliament Hill lead by the Saint
John Fire Department Honor Guard, under the direction of Fire Fighter Steve
Voutour. There were 6 Pipe & Drum Bands forming one mass pipes & drum
band. Saint John Fire Department Piper Lt. Bob Adams lead the mass Pipes and
Drums in the solo of Amazing Grace on Parliament Hill. After the moment of silence for all fallen
fire fighters, the silence was broken by a lone piper, Saint John Fire Department’s
Piper Mark Wilson, who played a piper’s lament from in front of the Peace Tower,
overlooking those gathered on the lawn of Parliament Hill.
For more information on the Canadian Fallen Fire Fighters
Memorial, visit www.cfff.ca.