SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Chief Steven Pinch on behalf of the Union Fire District of South Kingstown, and Chief Thomas Reed on behalf of the Kingston Fire District, invite the public to the annual Firefighters Memorial Service this coming weekend. 

WHEN

Sunday, Sept. 26, starting at noon

WHERE

South Kingstown Firefighters Memorial Square, at Columbia Street and Kingstown Road, South Kingstown, R.I.

WHO

• Members of the Union Fire District of South Kingstown
• Members of the Kingston Fire District
• Honored guests, including Congressman Jim Langevin and local state senators and representatives
• Members of the South Kingstown Town Council
• Interim South Kingstown Town Manager Theresa Murphy

WHAT

The event will pay tribute to local firefighters who have died in the line of duty, including William E. Gray (Feb. 14, 1967), Byron H. Love (April 28, 1968), and Allan P. LePage (June 30, 2009). Those in attendance will be taking a moment to thank all local firefighters for their continued efforts to keep people safe.

The service will open with a welcome address from Chief Pinch, and an invocation from Rev. Marcel Taillon. 

Taps will be performed by members of the South Kingstown High School band. The raising of the American flag to half staff will be conducted by Deputy Chief Tony Cinquegrana and Deputy Chief Erik Brierley.

A memorial address will be given by retired Deputy Chief Tim Redmond. The Fireman’s Prayer will be read by firefighter Hilding Munson. 

A wreath-placing will then be performed by members of the Gray, Love, and LePage families, assisted by Deputy Chiefs Cinquegrana and Brierley.

Rev. Taillon will then give a benediction, followed by closing remarks from Chief Read. 

Arms will be presented and ordered with the assistance of Assistant Chief Lance Whaley. 

The St. Edmund’s Pipes and Drums band and the Mystic Highland Pipe Band will also take part in the service, and plants will be provided by Highland Farms. 

“We look forward to honoring all of our members and paying respects to those we have lost, as part of this service, and we welcome the entire community to attend and show their support,” Chief Pinch said. “We thank our community partners for assisting us as always, and all of our past members who continue to offer their support.”

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