Port Jervis Fire Department remembers and pays tribute to late PJFD firefighters
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelPort Jervis Fire Department's annual memorial service for late firefighters was attended by dozens of firefighters and their families, community members, and the families of three PJFD firefighters who lost their lives in past line of duty responses.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelThis memorial monument, designed and secured by PJFD and built by PJ Department of Public Works masons was unveiled this summer for fallen Port Jervis Fire Department firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty as firefighters.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelA memorial monument was unveiled for fallen Port Jervis Fire Department firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty as firefighters.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelAn American flag being officially folded as one of three flag presentations to the family members of Port Jervis Fire Departments three losses in the line of firefighting service.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelTri-States Naval Ship Post #7241 Fabrizzio Morejon and PJFD longtime firefighter/veteran Frank Fuller, Jr. folded American flags that were presented to family members of fallen-in-the-line-of-duty PJFD firefighters.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelPort Jervis Fire Department Chaplain, Fr. Anthony Gianconna offers prayer during PJFD's annual July memorial service.
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelNine of the ten living past/current PJFD Chiefs who have served as part of the 50-overall PJFD chiefs throughout Port Jervis Fire Department's 168-year history, were present at the July 10th annual memorial service for late firefighters of the department. L-R: Past Chief Keith Brown, Chief Anthony Fuller (current PJFD chief), Past Chiefs James Fuller, Frank Fuller III, Dominic Cicalese (who is also PJ's Mayor), Russell Potter, Joseph Kowal, Sr., James Rohner, Jeffrey Rhoades. (Not able to be there for this service was Past Chief Mike Innella.)
Photo by Sharon E. SiegelNine of the ten living past/current PJFD Chiefs (and current two assistant chiefs) who have served as part of the 50-overall PJFD chiefs throughout Port Jervis Fire Department's 168-year history, were present at the July 10th annual memorial service for late firefighters of the department. L-R: Past Chief Keith Brown, Chief Anthony Fuller (current PJFD chief), Past Chiefs James Fuller, Frank Fuller III, Dominic Cicalese (who is also PJ's Mayor), current 2nd Asst. Chief Christopher Southard, Russell Potter, current 1st Asst. Chief Jeffrey Lewis, Joseph Kowal, Sr., James Rohner, Jeffrey Rhoades. (Not able to be there for this service was Past Chief Mike Innella.)
Port Jervis Fire Department unveiled a new memorial monument on the eve of the department's annual parade this July. The monument is located on Pike Street and was designed by the department and constructed by the city's DPW from historic bricks and bluestone. A memorial plaque in the center of the monument remembers three fallen firefighters who gave the ultimate sacrifice as firefighters while actively serving as dedicated members of PJFD.
The three fallen firefighters listed on the new monument are Russell ‘Chipper’ Howell, Earl Garrity, II, and Frank L. Schips, Jr. All three were struck by tragic incidents in the 1980s, two (Howell and Garrity) immediately fatal and Schips with serious injuries from which he late succumbed. Family members of these three firefighters were present for the unveiling and service, and each family was presented with an encased American Flag. As the names of each firefighter was read, a historic PJFD bell was tolled in their memory.
Dozens gathered for the unveiling and for remarks from the department's chaplain and past chiefs whose actions helped bring the new memorial monument about. The service took place during the annual memorial service held each parade week for late firefighters of the department. Specific remembrance is made annually for those who have died since the previous year's service. This year five dedicated late members of the department were specifically remembered during prayer and remarks offered for all late PJFD firefighters. These five are William J. Talmadge, Russell J. VonSauers, Jr., Jeffrey M. Wehinger, Jerry D. Enright, and Robert G. Mason.
PJFD and its community members are grateful for the past century-plus service of its members and chief and wish everyone many safe days, months, and years to come.
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