IN MEMORIAM

The Bell

The wind moved across the field
as it had for years
But today it carried the sound of pipes
it tasted the salt of our tears

Before us lay their helmets
atop the flags and polished wood
And each alone with our thoughts and prayers
silently we stood

The better to hear the pipes and the words
those sound that carried their souls
Away from the smoke and dark and heat
to where we stood on the knoll

We stood at attention as the flags made their way
to the parents, husbands, wives and children
Of the members of our family
we were sending off that day

I saluted as the flags were presented
as the pipes faded into the air
And as I looked to the battered helmets
I knew our brothers and sisters were there

They were there as we were
to bid their family and friends goodbye
For they had one more alarm to answer
requested from beyond the sky

None of us could see them
but they were with us still
Their faces were in the voices and thoughts and air
as for a moment even the wind stood still

And now the tears run free down our faces
on the knoll that will be their earthly home
All hands stand fast and silent
listening for their final tone

I know they're going to heaven
because they've done their time in hell
And I know that they will get their wings
when the chaplain rings his bell.
In memory of our brothers and sisters that lost their lives in the line of duty, October, 1997.
Firefighter Ian Tenney
Burlington Fire Department
Vermont 

Name                           Department                       Date      Cause

Lieutenant Terry McElveen      Philadelphia Fire Department     Oct 27 97 Smoke inhalation at
(age 43, Career)               Philadephia Pennsylvania                   residential fire.
 
Firefighter James E. Hynes     Philadelphia Fire Department     Oct 27 97 Smoke inhalation at 
(age 27, Career)               Philadephia Pennsylvania                   residential fire.   

Firefighter/EMT Kathy Mayfield Crooksville Volunteer Fire Dept. Oct 26 97 Cardiac arrest 
(age 47, Volunteer)            Crooksville Ohio                           returning from 
                                                                          a tire fire.  

Firefighter/EMT David Womer    Mount Carmel Volunteer Fire Dept.Oct 24 97 Explosion in rescue
(age 24, Volunteer)            Mount Carmell Pennsylvania                 squad building 
                                                                          on duty.
  
Sargeant Juhn Carter           District of Columbia Fire Dept.  Oct 24 97 Trapped when floor
(age 38, Career)               Washington DC                              collapsed in 2
                                                                          storey fire.
 
Dpy.Chf William "Pops" Winters Atglen Fire Company              Oct 10 97 Cardiac arrest
(age 76, Volunteer)            Atglen Pennsylvania                        at structure fire.
 
Firefighter Douglas Buchert    Carthage Fire Department         Oct 2 97  Caught in fireball 
(age 23, Volunteer)            Carthage Illinois                          when LPtank exploded
                      
Firefighter Michael D Mapes    Carthage Fire Department         Oct 2 97  Caught in fireball
(age 35, Volunteer)            Carthage Illinois                          when LPtank exploded


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