Hoopie World: Funeral for Pittsburgh Firefighters (3/18/04)

Hoopie World

Funeral for Fallen Pittsburgh Firefighters (3/18/2004)

Yesterday was Thursday, the 18th of March 2004. Just another ordinary day in just about every year past. However, this Thursday the 18th was different. This day, 03/18/04, was a day when we laid to rest two fallen brothers from the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire. This day, we honored brother firefighter Charles Brace, Battalion Chief of District 4, and brother master firefighter Richard Stefanakis of Engine 3. This day was a day that we will never forget. For years to come, this day will be one that we will always remember as a day that we laid to rest two brother firefighters. Just as, for years to come, March 13th will be a day that we will all remember as the day of the "church fire on the hill."

Yesterday, March 18th, was a day where it didn't matter if you were paid or volunteer, rookie or veteran. What mattered was that we are all brother and sister firefighters. Differences were cast aside as we all banded together as one big family that is the fire service. Trying to explain to others outside of the fire service what I do isn't easy. But one thing that I do say is that I have two families. I have one family that consists of a mother and father, uncles and aunts, a sister and a wife. Then I have a second family that consists of brothers and sisters; a second family that will band together at the drop of a hat or at the loss of a life.

Such was the case yesterday, March 18th, 2004. We all banded together to say farewell to two brothers that most of us have never met. But that did not matter. Most shed a tear, wept, or openly cried. But that too, did not matter; no one was considered weak or less of an individual for shedding a tear. The camaraderie that was displayed alone was enough to take my breath away and stop my eyes from remaining dry. As I stood atop Squirt 200 parked inside Lot Number 2 at Heinz Field and looked around, I am not afraid to share with you that the sight of all the brother and sisters gathering was
enough to get me choked up.

It is sad that such a tragic event had to bring us all together. But in the same token, it's heartwarming to see that my second family is still thriving; always there for their fellow brother and sister firefighters. I will end my thoughts that I share with you with this quote from my father: "On the day of a funeral, if the sun is shining down and the wind is calm, you know that person's soul is at rest." If you noticed as we began to depart Heinz Field at 10 am, the clouds parted giving way to sunshine that lasted the duration of our brothers' service.