This year's host is the Friendship Fire Company in Englewood, Butler Townhip near Frackville. The service kicks off a week of events that will lead up the Convention Parade next Saturday.
Prior to the service, there was a solemn march to the church, led by the sound of bagpipes. Members of fire companies, auxiliaries, county departments, township supervisors, and local dignitaries joined the procession.
Prior to the service, there was a solemn march to the church, led by the sound of bagpipes. Members of fire companies, auxiliaries, county departments, township supervisors, and local dignitaries joined the procession.
Friendship Fire Company President Zachary Chernewski welcomed attendees before the service opened with a prayer from Rev. Kirill Zawatski of Holy Ascension Orthodox Church.
There was also the reading of a poem named "Stand by your Firefighter".
Scripture readings were delivered by Kathy Kraft, David Malloy, and Father Guency Issac of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, followed by a reflection from Father Paul Spotts.
"We gather here today not just in admiration, but in thanksgiving for the men and the women that willingly place themselves between danger and safety, between destruction and protection, and between fear and hope", Father Paul Spotts said.
The children’s choir, under the direction of Carolyn Tenaglia, performed “Thank You First Responder.”
There was the reading of A Firefighter’s Psalm 23, a prayer for those who answer the call in dangerous situations.
The names of firefighters who have passed away since 2024 were read by Leroy Boyer, Recording Secretary of the SCVFA, followed by the ringing of the traditional Signal 5-5-5-5 in their honor. Members of the Friendship Fire Company and Ladies Auxiliary, as well as the former American Fire Company of Fountain Springs, who passed between 2010 and 2025, were also remembered, with the bell rung by Fire Chief Ed Beneshunas.
A solemn tribute was also paid to the county’s line-of-duty deaths, some dating back nearly two centuries, with the bell struck by Sara and Dana Achenbach, granddaughters of fallen firefighter James F. Roberts.
Musical selections included “Let There Be Peace on Earth” performed by the First United Methodist Church Bell Choir, directed by Wendy Nicodemus, and “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes by Todd Jones. The Prayer to St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters, was recited in unison by all firefighters present.
The service concluded with the recognition of life members of the Friendship Fire Company and Ladies Auxiliary, a benediction and blessing from Rev. Arturo Bautista Jr., and a recessional.
There was the reading of A Firefighter’s Psalm 23, a prayer for those who answer the call in dangerous situations.
The names of firefighters who have passed away since 2024 were read by Leroy Boyer, Recording Secretary of the SCVFA, followed by the ringing of the traditional Signal 5-5-5-5 in their honor. Members of the Friendship Fire Company and Ladies Auxiliary, as well as the former American Fire Company of Fountain Springs, who passed between 2010 and 2025, were also remembered, with the bell rung by Fire Chief Ed Beneshunas.
A solemn tribute was also paid to the county’s line-of-duty deaths, some dating back nearly two centuries, with the bell struck by Sara and Dana Achenbach, granddaughters of fallen firefighter James F. Roberts.
Musical selections included “Let There Be Peace on Earth” performed by the First United Methodist Church Bell Choir, directed by Wendy Nicodemus, and “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes by Todd Jones. The Prayer to St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters, was recited in unison by all firefighters present.
The service concluded with the recognition of life members of the Friendship Fire Company and Ladies Auxiliary, a benediction and blessing from Rev. Arturo Bautista Jr., and a recessional.
