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Alden Firefighters Hold Annual Memorial Service

(L-R) Erie County Fire Chaplain Fr. Joe Bayne, Chief Mark Pruitt and
Chaplain James Gerber led the annual memorial service for deceased
firefighters sponsored by the Alden Fire Department at St. John's Church on
Saturday, November 10.
Firefighters gathered at St. John's Church on Sandridge Road for the annual memorial service on Saturday, November 10, 2007. This service honors all deceased firefighters in the Town of Alden who have given their service to the Community by serving in the Town's Fire Departments.
The service of remembrance was led by Fr. Joseph Bayne, OFM and Erie County Fire Chaplain, assisted by Alden Chaplain James Gerber and Alden Chief Mark Pruitt. Father Joe talked to the assembled group of the importance of remembering and being a part of a family that serves the community.

Chief Mark Pruitt rings the bell three times.
The service concluded with the "Last Alarm Ceremony" that is as follows:
"Throughout most of history, the life of a firefighter has been closely associated with the ringing of a bell.
As he began his hours of duty, it was the bell that started it off
Through the day and night, each alarm was sounded by a bell, which called him to fight fire and to place his life in jeopardy for the good of his fellow man.
And when the fire was out, and the alarm had come to an end, the bell rang three times to signal the end.
And now our Brother Firefighters have completed their task, their duties well done, and the bell rings three times in memory of, and in tribute to their lives and service."