RICHARD NANGLE
Courtesy Telegram & Gazette

WORCESTER -- In some ways, yesterday was the real anniversary. Cold, raw and gray, just like the first Friday in December 1999.

Shivering Burncoat High School students stood in this early morning cold for a ceremony honoring the six firefighters who died in the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. building.

Inside the Anniversary • One Year Later in Worcester • Carter: One Year Later - Where Do We Stand? • Students Honor Fallen Firefighters • Forums: Discuss the Anniversary • Complete Worester Coverage Related • NECN RealVideo: Memorial Service News Report • WAV: WFD Moment of Silence (1.5MB) From WCUW • Globe: Worcester relives heartache of '99 fire • Herald: Firefighters' everyday risk deserves high honor • Herald: Worcester fights pain to honor sacrifice • Herald: Chief changed forever by `evil building' • Globe: The six for whom the bells toll • NECN Video Report: Real Video Telegram & Gazette Coverage • Behind the tears and sorrow, chaplain saw strength in faith • Silence speaks volumes about dedication, public's appreciation • Spokesman was therapeutic role for father • Sons keep memory alive • Firefighter haunted by brother's death • Pain of losing friend an echo of Vietnam • Cruel lesson renewing safety aims • Support 'is never going to end' • 250 'time bombs' remain • Cold Storage blaze united Worcester • T&G Special Section T&G Staff/Paula Ferazzi Swift Flames breaking through the roof of the Worcester cold storage building on Dec. 3, 1999, killing six Worcester firefighters. Brotherton McGuirk Jackson Lyons Spencer Lucey

It began with the raising of the American flag by the Air Force Junior ROTC and Worcester Fire Department color guards. Then the JROTC POWIA Ceremonial Team and Drill Team honored the firefighters while a tape of “Amazing Grace” played through a sound system.

The men who died were Firefighters Paul A. Brotherton, Jeremiah M. Lucey, Timothy P. Jackson and Joseph T. McGuirk and fire Lts. Thomas E. Spencer and James F. Lyons III.

Sally Maloney, the Burncoat High facilitator, said the firefighters were brave, loyal, caring and dedicated. They loved their job, did it well and put the welfare of others ahead of their own, she said.

David Nolan, assistant Burncoat principal, spoke about heroes who deliver an exceptional service to mankind, exhibit great valor and are martyrs.

Fire Chief Gerard A. Dio thanked the city for its support through the year.

And John McGuirk, cousin of the late Firefighter McGuirk, recalled learning of the tragic news.

He said he went to bed on that Friday night a year ago not knowing about the warehouse fire or the fact that his cousin was dead.

It was the next morning, when he read the newspaper, that he first considered the possibility that he might know one of the dead firefighters. Mr. McGuirk said he had three cousins and several friends in the department.

When he learned of Firefighter McGuirk's death, Mr. McGuirk said, his faith in God was shaken. But later, he said, he came to realize that God was and is alive in each of the six men.

And he said God was also alive in District Chief Michael McNamee. Mr. McGuirk said District Chief McNamee showed true heroism by refusing to let any more of his firefighters enter the building even after it had become clear that six were trapped.

Tomorrow, an anniversary ceremony will be held at the vacant lot where the cold storage building stood. Church bells will chime throughout the city at 6:13 p.m., the time of the first alarm. At that time, fire departments across the state are planning to sound their horns simultaneously.

Photo By Peter Mathews Photo By Peter Mathews Photo By Peter Mathews