Internet Messages Salute Firefighters

PAMELA H. SACKS
Telegram & Gazette Staff
Republished with permission

From Central Massachusetts to California to New Zealand, people turned to the Internet to express their shock and sadness the day after six firefighters were killed in the inferno that consumed a massive warehouse in Worcester.

Susin McDonald was among more than 40 people who left messages on the Telegram & Gazette Web site. Expressing her sorrow, Ms. McDonald signed herself “a grateful citizen.”

Many former Worcester residents sent prayers and condolences. Several people described the lost firefighters as “real-life heroes.”

Jon Almeda wrote of his gratitude to all firefighters because they have, more than once, saved his home in California from wildfires. Kathy Mckiel of Florida said her father is a retired Worcester firefighter, so she understands more than many people the daily dangers and pressures of the job.

Many of those hit hardest by the loss -- the brotherhood of firefighters and their families and friends -- turned to the Firehouse magazine Web site to post prayers and express grief, sorrow and anger in well over 200 messages consuming five screens of space.

Visitors started posting the notes late Friday night, and a steady stream continued well into last night.

“May you all find a way to deal with this and continue to be the bravest men and women in the world,” said a message from the Swansea Fire Department.

“I find it very difficult to sleep tonight thinking of my brothers who have now gone home for Christmas,” wrote New Bedford's firefighters.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the hometown heroes in Worcester, Mass. May their families and friends know in their hearts what a difference those six made with their choice of a career,” wrote a resident of Orlando, Fla.

One message described the pall that descended on the Goffstown, N.H., rescue squad after learning about the tragedy.

“Just went on an alarm activation run,” a member of the squad wrote. “Very quiet in the truck as all our thoughts are with the fallen brothers of Worcester, Mass. I made it back this time. God's peace and blessing to our brothers and their families.”

Lisa Anderson, a rural firefighter in Wanganui, New Zealand, sent her “sincerest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of our fallen brothers in Worcester, Mass.”

Two messages from the old mill city of Lancaster, Pa., offered condolences and some strongly worded advice to Worcester officials.

“The firefighters of the Lancaster City Bureau of Fire wish to express our heartfelt sympathy to the families, officers and firefighters in this huge loss of our brother firefighters in Worcester. The city fathers in our cities must learn a lesson from this tragic loss and demolish these 'fire traps' in our inner cities that have become home to drug users and street people -- and killers of firefighters,” one of the Lancaster messages read.

Many people were moved to eloquence in expressing their sense of loss and their admiration for those who perished.

“My heart is filled with sorrow today. Six more of our bravest have been lost. My prayers are with their families, co-workers and the people of Worcester,” wrote a firefighter from Collier County, Fla.

“I am so sorry for all of your losses,” wrote ``Lisa” from Maryland. “It is my loss as well in a different way. I am so proud of these men sticking together. I am sorry to lose such important people who are there to save the lives of others. My thoughts and prayers are with you.”

Several relatives of firefighters turned to the Fireman's Prayer to offer comfort to the bereaved. The wife of a Boston firefighter posted the final lines of the prayer, which reads:

“And if according to my fate ... I am to lose my life ... Please bless with your protecting hand ... My children and my wife.”