Firefighter's travel to Worcester...
Firefighter's from across the United States and as far as Toronto, Canada came out to Worcester to honor their fallen comrade Firefighter Jon Davies Sr, 43 of the Worcester Fire Department. The fire also injured his partner Firefighter Brian Carroll who barely escaped the building collapse after being trapped for an hour.
Without the ability to obtain and actual count, it is estimated that some 10,000 firefighters were in attendance including Chief Orangio, Watertown's Honor Guard and a contingent made up of Watertown, Waltham, Newton and Belmont.
It was amazing to see the number of people who came out in support both public safety and the public. Included in the funeral procession was a young Worcester native, 11-year old Jared Flanders who disobeyed his father's order to stay in after school. He put on a dress shirt, tied his own tie and snuck out. He rode his bike down to the wake because he wanted to 'pay his respects'. Worcester firefighters were so touched that asked them to join in the procession.
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Firefighters in the Middle East
3 Watertown Firefighters deploy to the Middle East in 2011
June 15, 2011
By David Meagher
Watertown - Everyone knows that firefighters are here to serve the community. Many of those who chose a life of public service to their comunity, started off by serving their country in one of the five branches of the military and continue to do so.
Many firefighters both active and retired can proudly boast about their military service. Unbeknown to most of the public that they serve, there are three Watertown firefighters who are being deployed this year.
We are very proud of all of them. We wish them a safe and speedy return.
Firefighter James Maloney
Firefighter James Maloney, started his career in the military as an enlisted man. Three years later he attended Officer Candidate School (OCS) and became an officer. James is currently a major in the US Army and veteran of 18 years. He is serving out his third deployment (second overseas) at Camp Morehead just outside Kabul, Afghanistan.
James is attached to the 20thSpecial Forces Group and assigned as the Afghan National Army Special Operations Advisory Group's Engineer. He works as a mentor to ANA Engineer Colonel and oversees construction in various ANA SF and Commando Bases thru out theater. He is scheduled to return some time this summer.
Firefighter Sean Costigan
Firefighter Sean Costigan, the youngest of the three deployed March 31 of this year and has spent almost a third of his life in the military. He calls himself a “68W” known in the Army as a “Combat Medic”. Like James, this is his 3rdmobilization, but his 2ndtrip overseas.
Staff Sergeant Costigan is the Non-commissioned Officer in Charge of Trauma (ER) section of his team. He is assigned to the ‘912 Forward Surgical Team’. He describes it as essentially, “a highly mobile trauma team with Life/limb saving surgical capability. Sean is slated to be deployed for a year.
Firefighter Paul Bourque
Prior to becoming a firefighter Paul Bourque served with the US Marines and was deployed to the Middle East in 1996. At that time he was a corporal assigned to the 11th MEU-SOC (Marine Expeditionary Unit – Special Operations Capable).
Paul’s current service with the military started in 2008 when he joined the US Navy Reserve at the age of 37. The Navy allowed Paul to retain the rank that he left the Marines with years earlier an as Paul put it, “…seemed to be a better selling point….” with his wife.
Firefighter Bourque will be hanging up his turnout gear and putting on the uniform of GM2 - Second Class Petty Officer (E-5) Bourque, full time and deploying to the United Arab Emirates in August of 2011 and expects to return in the Fall of 2012. He is a member of Squadron 8, out or Newport, RI, part of the Naval Expeditionary Coastal Command. Their role is harbor and port security on the water.
His unit is a ‘small boat” unit and his role as a gunner’s mate, is to ensure all weapons are operational and all members of the unit is trained. He is a small arms instructor, a line coach for crew served weapons and completed Security Reaction Force School.
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