BY MAT CLOUSER
Pittsford — Mourners gathered in remembrance of and tribute to the fallen Emergency Service Workers of Vermont on September 25 at the grounds of the Fire and Police Academy in Pittsford.
The proceedings featured bagpipes, a color guard, a reading of the names of fallen firefighters and Emergency Medical Service Providers, as well as a traditional bell ringing and placing of wreaths in addition to an invocation, a benediction, Taps by Debi Smith, Firefighter at the Peacham and St. Johnsbury Fire Departments, and a rendition of Amazing Grace by St. Andrews Pipes and Drums.
Featured speakers included Dan Batsie, Director of the Vermont Department of Health, Division of Emergency Preparedness, Response & Injury Prevention; Troy Ruggles, Battalion Chief of the Burlington Fire Department; Haley Pero, Outreach Director for Sen. Bernie Sanders; and Rep. Charles Butch Shaw, retired Assistant Chief of the Pittsford Fire Department, among many more.
“I’m very proud and honored to have been selected to read the names of the fallen, many of whom I’ve come in contact with over the last several years,” said Rep. Shaw, adding that he felt happy to have the Police and Fire Academy in the Rutland area.
