Fallen Firefighters of Lakewood Honored

up FR [Music] [Applause] [Music] right [Music] about [Music] what [Music] I'm going to call on Department chaplain Rabbi rothberg to say say a few words Father in heaven look upon the assembled with favor and Grace them with your blessings of peace let us see the day of Eternal happiness father a fun day L us today a dedicated life lives Eternal watch over the firefighters and and all those who risk their lives for the sake of others amen before we begin I'd like to make a few acknowledgements first off I want to thank the Lakewood policeman's benevolent Association president of Local 71 in Lakewood Gary a with the Inception of why we are here tonight and I must say that Gary expresses his apologies for not being able to be here for he is a Children's Hospital in Philadelphia tending to his s child I also want to thank our bag Piper James Doyle and drummer Scott buts I want to thank the honor guard of Junior host company 3 the company of our fallen firefighters led by Lieutenant Robert C Jr and Lieutenant Dan Perell I want to thank the Ocean County Fire Marshal's Office for being here and the firefighters of the other towns from Mutual Aid that responded to the call at the hotel Alabama on 23 December 1976 it truly is an honor to stand before you to stand before you as chief of the department along with my assistant chief Steven [Music] ma the lake fire department was founded in 1888 and for almost 125 years have answered the alarm to serve protect the citizens of Laker Township and wherever that Duty may call over that time span more than 500 men and women have served the township of Laker in various capacities and ranks in the department more than 35 years have passed in which the fire at the hotel aliban located at the corner of F Street Avenue would go down in recorded history as one of the darkest days that the Lake Fire Department in the township of lakor would experience at 1:19 a.m. that morning a general alarm was struck for a working Hotel fire and during the early course of the fire several firefighters encountered a flashover on the second floor subsequently a handful of firefighters became trapped and suffered severe injuries and burns in the case of EX captain of the time president of the commissioners of the Lakewood fire department Stanley J marks of Junior host company number three AG 33 and firefighter Alexander I ladf age 24 their injuries proved to be fatal Stanley left behind his loving wife Judy and his sons Michael and Joseph and two brothers Edward of rescue fire company number two and brother James Alex Left Behind to his memory his wife Pat mother matr Fedor and his brother John SP show in addition firefighter George Reynolds of engine company one sustained Burns and eventually would recover and return to service to the lake of fire department now currently serving as a member of rescue Fire Company 2 at this time I want everyone here to see and recognize the firefighters in attendance that were there that faithful evening the firefighters from the past and present that were there please show your hands [Applause] also wanted to uh take a moment one of the uh longest living Our Ladies Auxiliary of the L fire department members that was there that evening Janice C humans [Applause] to the survivors of these great firefighters who are seated here in front of this room and to the lab fire fire department citizens BL and to the members of the township committee mayor Deputy Mayor the bronze plaques of these brave men sons of leel to be placed in the wall in the lobby in the municipal building which already displays three Laker Township police officers heartley RoR William nii preslar and Christopher Matos and let everyone who enters the building and Views these brave men and sees that they made the ultimate sacrifice in the service and protection of others in the township of play and that their memories remain very much a part of us and will continue to do so forever I call now ex Captain Dennis lets ex Captain Steven lets to join me at the front of the room for the unveiling of the plaque of EX Captain Stanley Clarks ex Chief Lawrence Larry will come forward please and next Captain Greg Stafford Smith you please come forward big tail left head PR [Music] HS [Music] all [Music] a [Music] hold up H once again I would like to thank EBA president Gary baznik for the inception for his guidance and to the L for of fire Commissioners for their support and also the lakid fire department for your attendance and honoring continuing to honor these brave men who lost their lives more than 35 years ago detail up 10 h [Music] e [Music] [Applause] [Music] know [Applause] [Music] good I don't