What You Missed: Firefighters' Memorial Ceremony

Every year, a couple of hundred people gather at the gazebo at High Plains for the Memorial Day Ceremony. The honored guests are introduced there, dignitaries give speaches and school children read their award-winning essays.

Then a few hundred people line the street for the parade and cheer on their favorite groups, and floats, Max the police dog (and his partner Mike Kosh), or the fire engines as they go by with their sirens blaring.

Finally, a few dozen residents come to the Orange Center Cemetery for the memorial service and wreath laying ceremony.

One of the most touching Memorial Day events of which residents are not aware, is the Firefighters' Memorial Service at the far end of the Town Green.

After all the revelers have gone home and the traffic begins flowing on Orange Center Road, a police motorcycle escort leads the Fire Department Honor Guard and a small group of firefighters to the Town Green where the remaining firefighters are waiting with the fire engines.

A chaplain offers a prayer, then the fire officers read the names of departed Fire Department members.

All the men and women stand at attention as a wreath is laid at the memorial stone, which often goes unnoticed by the general public.

The Fire Department does not advertise this ceremony, but it certainly is a special annual event for Orange's finest.

Editor's Note: I've attached a video of this year's ceremony.