Family, Friends, Strangers and the Icon. Forever!

       The Icon closed his chapter in the book of life after 99 years. Could forever last just 99 years? Imagine, 99 years of living, his chapter is chock full of amazing tales and journeys the like most of us have never heard of, never mind seen. He would leave an impression on everyone he touched even in the days up to his passing.

       I can see him, the virile age of 26 at the back end of Ladder Two pulling the roof ladder off the truck. Hip boots, jean jacket down just to the top of his thighs, open, flapping in the crisp wind that whips through the tunnel of buildings that line Main Street. Helmet tilted to the side, sweat running down his cheek sliding over his half smiling face. What's on his mind? Much like many firefighters since, follow orders and go to work. It was roughly 2 am on March 10, 1941. His crew had been ordered to make way to the roof of 15 School St. via the adjacent Kennedy building to ventilate. As he and the crew of Ladder Two reached the top of the Kennedy Building they made their way to the lower roof of what was the Strand Theatre. Mere seconds before contacting the roof of the Theatre with the butt end of the ladder the roof would collapse. Right away the Icon, even at his young age and minimal experience, knew men were trapped under the carnage. His officer without a thought gave the men the order to make their way down to assist in the rescue efforts. I wonder how much thought he put into how close he was at ending his forever the moment the roof fell. Twelve men died that night with twenty others injured. A few days later the thirteenth firefighter would succumb to his injuries.

       The Icon would be the sixth of just nine Fire Chiefs in the City of Brockton to date. Serving forty years, sixteen of which he spent as Chief. He was a "Chief's Chief, driving a Cadillac and smoking cigars." Clearly he was a Firefighters Chief as well. Many times he fought for the men and many times he won. Hard but fair, would never ask of you what he himself would not do. A good Jake! Throughout his career he had seen many losses. To many losses to count over 99 years. Witnessing death, or even experiencing death in your family (yes firefighters are a family) is quite hard to take. Can you imagine for a moment having to notify a wife or a mother of a loss? In 1964 he did just that. He had to make that notification to three separate families. To report to them they had lost their sons, fathers, brothers. To let them know these three men have ended their forever. As a new Chief he entered these homes and stood for the families in a way that could never be repaid. That was just his way.

The first look!

       I have had many moments with the Icon in my 18 year career. His quick wit and sharp tongue was never amiss. I remember the time about four years ago when he was around the age of 96. He was arriving at the Relief Association meeting by himself in a brand new car. He had just bought the car and purchased a 10 year warranty. I don't know if you just read the last sentence right so I will reiterate. 96 years old, new car, 10 year warranty. I know right? As we opened the door to walk with him into the building he asked us if we needed help, clearly we weren't out there to help him. So, as he made his way to the building he decided he would walk over and not around the giant mulch bed, you guessed it. He fell and broke his hip. Apparently it was our fault, we "slowed him down." He was tough to slow down that's for sure. I do know of one time we actually did finally slow him down, as a matter of fact he was at a loss for words which I'm not too sure that had ever happened before. It was may 10th 2008. The day we unveiled the Strand Theatre Memorial Statue. When the red silk cloak wafted off of the back side of the 12 foot tall bronze likeness of himself, he just stood in awe. Usually we were in awe of him, this day we were just proud.

Retired Chief Edward "Sonny" Burrell's reflection
as he gets his first look at the Strand Theatre Monument

      His funeral service was held in a church just slightly older than he. A wonderful contingent of firefighters both from Brockton and surrounding towns stood tall out in front awaiting the procession. The seven member honor guard and the eight piece bagpipe and drum band off to either side of the brick and granite church baring a century of wear were just the touch the service needed. This was a normal Catholic service with two speakers giving incredibly kind words. First the Icons son would stand at the podium. We tend to forget he was not just someone for us to look up to but his children held him there too. His sons words were brief but powerful. His admiration for him was clear and to the point. His thanks to us for making him feel welcome all of the time was well received. Then the retired Chief would step to the altar. His words were for us all. He spoke the way we all felt about the Icon. He did take liberty for a moment and speak to a topic that was personal to him, and for the first time ever I would see the retired Chief waver. His voice would crack as he was clearly taken for a moment by the emotion. He quickly regained his composure, but I do have to say, it was nice to see his emotion at that moment. Rather refreshing to say the least, if you understand.

       After the service the Honor Guard and Band made our way by bus to the cemetery where his wife was buried. His arrival would not take long. The tree filled snow covered cemetery was prepared with green outdoor carpet leading up to the grave site. I would place the Relief memorial flag and remembrance stanchion next to the family head stone off to the side of the open grave prior to getting with the rest of the band. The funeral director would have the hearse pull up and wait just a moment while they place a few flower baskets near the head stone. As the pallbearers removed the casket from the hearse we began to play. We continued to play while all the attendees made their way to the grave side. The cold had a clear effect on the pipes but the music carried well. The Honor Guard looked sharp and the membership paid no attention to the frigid air. It was a wonderful tribute to a great man.  Once again, as I have done many times before, I had the honor of doing the walk away and with that and era was gone.

       As I walked away I thought about the word forever. What is forever? Forever begins the day we are born but does it end the day we die? Could forever for my son be the thirty odd weeks after the five years of studies to finally earn his black belt? How about the 60 years my friends father had or the 26 years my other friend had with his son? Is forever the three short years the young man has spent in the 54th MA, or the 40 year career of a 99 year old legend in the fire service. I mean really was his forever those 40 years or the 35 years he spent in retirement. I guess forever is up to us to determine. We all know the men of yesterday didn't want accolades, parades or even monuments. What do those things mean? Is it bragging or is it telling of history? They just wanted to do the job to the best of their ability and live a decent life. I get that but I feel we should continue to carry these people and their lives on. Everyone deserves the right to be remembered, have their story told. Through our words and stories, keep their history, build their monuments, be proud. Let's continue to give them a real forever.   

Peter