The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is an organization that holds a special place in the hearts of Beacon Hose. We have made several trips to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park in Emmitsburg, Md., to partake in ceremonies and honor the memories of heroes who have died in the line of duty.
Beacon Hose has the rare distinction of being a small town with four men who have died in the fire service and are therefore honored at this sacred ground. In fact, no other all-volunteer department in Connecticut has as many line of duty deaths than Beacon Hose. Our departed members include:
Past Capt. Wilbur Wheeler (Dec. 31, 1979)
Past Chief Joseph A. Daddona (Aug. 31, 1986)
Past Chief Robert A. Cole (Dec. 19, 1991)
Past Asst. Chief Kevin J. Swan (March 10, 2010)
These departed members’ names are inscribed both at the national memorial in Maryland and at the Connecticut Fire Academy’s memorial.
On this weekend, we remember not only our fallen members, but also those who made their sacrifices throughout the country.