In a somber ceremony today, Waterbury Fire Fighters gathered as John Keane's name was added to the fallen fire fighters memorial. The seventeenth annual memorial ceremony had to be moved indoors because of the rain. As in past years, the ceremony honored all Waterbury Fire Fighters who died in the line of duty, as well as all former fire fighters who passed away since the last ceremony.

The ceremony was well attended by fire fighters, police officers, family members and elected officials. Guest speakers included Congressman Chris Murphy, Mayor Michael Jarjura, Fire Chief Michael Maglione, and State Fire Administrator Jeff Morrissette.

Local 1339 President Fernando Ramirez vowed to make it his mission to make sure that there are no more names added to the memorial.

Fire fighter Joe Bogdanski presented the Family of John Keane with an American Flag that was flown over a US Marine Base in Iraq. That flag was flown on Memorial Day 2007 in honor of John Keane.

Local 1339 would like to thank the following for their participation today:

Congressman Chris Murphy, Mayor Michael Jarjura, Chief Maglione, Fire Department Chaplain Reverend Ronald  Ferraro, State Fire Administrator Jeff Morrissette, and Reverand Thomas Mallory Jr. 

We also wish to thank Miss Chelsea Mehmet, from the Waterbury Arts Magnet School, for singing our national Anthem, Lieutenant Kevin McKeon from West Shore Fire District for performing Taps, Fire Fighter Joe Bogdanski, The Connecticut Firefighters pipes and drums, and the Waterbury Police Department.

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More photos will be posted as we get them. If you have any photos you would like to share please email them to admin@waterburyfire.org