Merrimac Fire Department
Firemen’s Memorial Sunday
June 14, 2020
Firemen’s Memorial Sunday is a time when we gather to pay our respects to those that have served and paved the way for those of us that serve today. This year continues to bring challenges and changes that are anything but traditional. This year we find ourselves paying our respects to those that served our communities for years, or even decades, by means of a digital posting. It certainly is not the way that we expect things to go when it comes to such a personal thing. So, I will do my best to recognize this year’s members that will be forever added to our roll call.
This year’s members are one past Firefighter and two Couplings. For those that do not know, a Coupling is a member of our Auxiliary. The Auxiliary is a group of women that support the causes and needs of the Firefighters. These ladies have been serving the Town of Merrimac for over 55 years. They are each quite exceptional individuals, but more importantly a dynamic, driven, and fantastic group.
Our Firefighter that joins the rolls this year is Thomas M. Hansen. Firefighter Hansen died on June 4, 2019. He was a member in the 70’s and 80’s. Tom could be found around the station on many a night playing pool or cards with friends or participating in Musters. Tom served in a time when people had the luxury of spare time which allowed people to volunteer.
Our first Coupling is Frances C. Powers, June 30, 1926 – Aug. 10, 2019. Mrs. Powers was one of the original members of the Couplings. She was also the widow of Former Fire Chief Richard Powers as well as mother to Firefighters/EMTs Patricia Jordan, Richard Powers and Timothy Powers and mother-in-law to Firefighter Thomas Jordan. Mrs. Powers was extremely active in the community, which included the work with the Couplings. When the first group of women started the Couplings more than 55 years ago, Mrs. Powers along with the others made sure that the firefighters were fed and hydrated and had the supplies that they needed by doing fundraising. These women did all this and had lots of fun while doing it.
Our final addition this year is Pauline A. Boucher, Oct. 20, 1926 – March 26, 2020. Like Mrs. Powers, Mrs. Boucher was a member during a quite different time than we have today. People volunteered their time and energy on a regular basis. By doing so they helped to build the community that we have today. Their spirit of community and willingness to support their friends and family in the Fire Department only made their family bigger. We are what we are today because of the efforts of these people.
This year we would like everyone to help recognize these three, but also their family members, for their sacrifice of time lost. The missed suppers, holidays, ball games, birthday dinners and the like. Until you walk in the shoes of someone that has given of themselves, you truly cannot understand their sacrifice.