Thought of the Day - 12/03/09

Today is a very somber day for those of us in the Worcester area, as we pause to honor the memory of six firefighters who perished while fighting a blaze at the Cold Storage and Warehouse on December 3, 1999.

Much has changed in the ten years since the inferno that claimed the lives of these brave men, but one thing remains the same – these men are heroes who live on in our memories and whose service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

We owe a great debt of gratitude to the men and women who bravely answer the call of duty every time the fire bell rings or the police siren wails. Far too often we take for granted their selfless commitment to serving the public and keeping us safe. It’s on days like this that we should remind ourselves of the importance of their jobs and the exceptional nature of their noble devotion to the people they serve.

A memorial service will be held today at the site where the tragedy occurred, which now serves as the location of a newly-constructed fire station and a lasting memorial to the fallen firefighters. I will have a chance to spend time with another group of public safety officials today as I help them honor Brian Gerardi, who is a 30-year veteran police officer and a friend of mine being sworn in as the president of the Massachusetts Police Association.

No matter what you are doing today, I hope you will join with me in honoring the memory of the fallen heroes being remembered in Worcester today, and that you will pause to thank all of the men and women in uniform who keep us safe every day.