December 3,1999
Will be a day never forgotten by me or the people of Worcester, MA. At 6:15 PM firetrucks were dispatched to a fire on Franklin St. at the former Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Company.

But this fire was not to be a fire easily fought and the losses that night will forever be remembered.

As the first firefighters entered the building in search of homeless people that had been living in the building, two of them became lost and called for help. Four others were dispatched to search for them. In the end, none of the six were seen again as the entire building was turned into a raging inferno with flames shooting 100 feet into the air...

Now six days later the entire country and representatives from other countries have honored them and their families for their bravery.

In this season especially, we should find the time and make the effort to let all the firefighters, policemen and Rescue Squads know just how much they are appreciated. Maybe it took this to show us just how brave these six men and the many others that have fallen before them have been.

Please take a moment to say a prayer and a thanks to those fallen and those that are left to fight. Their families and their fellow firefighters grieve and so should we....

May God bless and keep them all in his arms during this Christmas season and always.....

~With God as our Father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.~

"The Firefighters"

The firefighters are heroes because they save other people's lives in fires. The firefighters risk their lives for us. Kerry's Uncle Timmy was a fire fighter and he died in the fire that was on December 3, 1999. He was the first one to be found.

It makes me sad because they just wanted to save the homeless people they thought were still in the fire.

I feel sad for the six firefighters who died last Friday. And I feel sad for their families and their friends who will miss them.

Thank you for being so brave.

Nerissa Rivera Age 9
Gr. 3
Goddard School
Worcester MA

"The Last Alarm"

My father was a fireman, He drove a big red truck
and when he'd go to work each day he'd say, "Mother wish me luck."
Then Dad would not come home again 'till sometime the next day.
But the thing that bothered me the most was the thing's some folks would say.
"A fireman's life is easy, he eats and sleeps and plays,
and sometimes he won't fight a fire  for days and days."
When I first heard these words I was too young to understand
but I knew when people had trouble Dad was there to lend a hand.
Then my father went to work one day and kissed us all goodbye
but little did we realize that night we all would cry.
  My father lost his life that night when the floor gave way below
and I'd wondered why he'd risk his life for someone he did not know.
But now I truly realize the greatest gift a man can give
is to lay his life upon the line so that someone else might live.
So as we go from day to day and we pray to God above
say a prayer for your local fireman.
He may save the one's you love.

Author Unknown

"My First Christmas In Heaven"

I see the countless Christmas trees,
Around the world below,
With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars
Reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular,
Please wipe away the tear,
For I am spending Christmas,
With Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs,
That people hold so dear,
But the sounds of music can't compare
With the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you,
The joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description,
To hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me,
I see the pain inside your heart,
But I'm not so far away,
We really aren't apart.
So be happy for me dear ones
You know I hold you dear,
And be glad I'm spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.
I send you each a special gift
From my heavenly home above,
I send you each a memory
Of my undying love.
After all, love is a gift
More precious than pure gold,
It was always most important
In the stories Jesus told.
Please love and keep each other,
As my Heavenly Father said to do,
For I can't count the blessings or love,
He has for each of you
So, have a Merry Christmas,
And wipe away that tear,
Remember, I am spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year!!!

Unknown

Merry Christmas Timmy 1999-2000

April 17, 2000 Happy 52nd Birthday Timmy
April 17, 2001 Happy Birthday

Firehouse.com

Worcester Fire Dept.

This photo was taken at the height of the fire. It is now said to resemble a firefighter as his soul goes to Heaven... What do you think?