Port Washington Firefighters Honor Fallen Members On Memorial Day
PORT WASHINGTON, NY — Port Washington firefighters marked Memorial Day a little differently this year. Dressed in full uniforms and masks, chiefs, officers and members of the Port Washington Volunteer Fire Department observed the holiday in a socially distanced ceremony Monday.
The traditional Memorial Day parade was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the department wrote in a Facebook post. The small service Monday was held at the Fire/Police Monument at Nassau Knolls Cemetery to honor members of the fire department who "made the Supreme Sacrifice upon the battlefields around the world."
"Over the one-hundred thirteen year history of the Fire Department hundreds of members have served in the United States Military," the fire department said.
Currently, four members of the fire department are serving in active duty in the U.S. Army. Additionally, 117 members served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Eight of them never returned home.
"In addition to honoring the memory of the eight members of the Department that were Killed In Action in wars around the globe the Department also paid tribute to the current members of the Department that have served in the United States Military," the department said.
Firefighters also joined Sands Point police in honoring firefighter Robert Reese and police Sgt. Joseph Spinosa, both of whom died in the line of duty over the last year. Reese died of cancer he contracted as a result of his work at the World Trade Center. Spinosa died after contracting the COVID-19 disease while working as a police sergeant in Sands Point.
"The names of Firefighter Robert L. Reese and Sergeant Joseph Spinosa were unveiled on plaques upon the wall of honor where their memory will live on forever," the fire department said.
The department said it "proudly and fondly remembers" members who made the "supreme sacrifice for their country."
"May they rest in peace and may their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families NEVER BE FORGOTTEN," the fire department said.
Joseph M. Caruso – Atlantic Hook & Ladder Company
Calvin Leitz – Protection Engine Company
Owen V. Poole– Protection Engine Company
Joseph Richter– Protection Engine Company
Robert L. Zwerlein– Protection Engine Company
John M. Burke – Flower Hill Hose Company
Peter A. Lang – Flower Hill Hose Company
Alexander P. Taylor – Flower Hill Hose Company
Below are a selection of photos from the observance, courtesy of the fire department and taken by former President and former fire medic member Pam Monfort.
This article originally appeared on the Port Washington Patch
