The Warren Fire and Rescue Department’s 150+ members will remember their late brothers and sisters this weekend, when the department holds its annual memorial Mass, parade and ceremony on Sunday …
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The Warren Fire and Rescue Department’s 150+ members will remember their late brothers and sisters this weekend, when the department holds its annual memorial Mass, parade and ceremony on Sunday morning.
This will be the first Memorial Sunday as chief for James Sousa, who succeeded former Chief Al Galinelli last year. He hopes to see a good turnout:
“It’s a good time to recognize the hard work (the volunteers have) been doing,” he said. “It’s a proud tradition that all the fire fighters and rescue carry.”
Warren has been marking Memorial Sunday for 116 years, though the fire department is much older, having been founded in 1802, Chief Sousa said.
Starting with a 9 a.m. Mass at St. Mary of the Bay Church, department members will head to fire headquarters and muster for the parade, which steps off at 11 a.m. Department members and town officials will then march from Croade Street to Main, where they will head north until reaching Water Street. Turning south, they’ll stay on Water until turning east on State toward the Town Common. Chief Galinelli, who in retirement is still a common sight around town, will be the ceremony’s main speaker.
“I think that’s fitting,” Chief Sousa said.
Honored this year among those residents who have passed on will be at least three department members who died over the past year: Central Fire Company 1 member Charles Brochu, Rough and Ready (Station 5) member William Monast, and Manual Perry Jr. of the Massasoit Hook and Ladder Company and Rescue.
Chief Sousa said he hopes to get a big turnout for the event. And he said it’s a perfect time for anyone thinking about joining to ask questions:
“If you’re interested in helping, we would love to talk to you,” the chief said. “We’re looking for the town’s support.
He joked that while joining the fire and rescue service may not bring a paycheck, the rewards are deeper:
“You’re helping the town,” he said. “And it’s a long and proud tradition.”
For information on joining the department as a volunteer, talk to a fire fighter Sunday, call department headquarters at 245-7600 or inquire at any one of the town’s six fire companies or rescue headquarters.