| I am writing to offer my thanks and appreciation to the East Longmeadow Fire Department for allowing me to serve as their Fire Department Chaplain for the last nine years. As I leave this role, I wanted to offer my thanks, and reflect on all that has happened over the last nine years of my Chaplaincy. Not long after I came to East Longmeadow in 1999, to serve as Associate Pastor at St. Michael's Parish, I was asked by Chief Wallace if I would consider becoming Chaplain to the Department. I considered it an honor and immediately said, yes! I was still fairly newly ordained as a priest (just three years at that time), but I was eager to take on what I considered a privilege. And a privilege it was. Chief Wallace and the men were very welcoming to me and I was happy to be able to attend some of their meetings and events, and get to know both the regular and call firefighters. I was also happy to get to know the Explorers a junior organization of young men who were interested in firefighting and learning "the ropes" of a possible future career. Speaking of "ropes," I remember attending one of their training meetings when they were learning to tie various kinds of knots. They did very well but as my knots seemed to lack some "hold," I learned I was more cut out to be a magician specializing in "slip knots" than in being a firefighter! The Explores are a fine group of young men. Not long after I became Chaplain, I experienced one of the most difficult challenges a Chaplain can have the death of one of our young Explorers Ryan Lewis. Ryan had been a very active and well-liked member of the Explorers, and his sudden death was a loss to everyone in the Department. Loss and Death were a fairly large part of the responsibilities I had over the last nine years. Chief Wallace would call me when one of the guys was hurt or ill, or in a few cases, very seriously ill. When assisting someone in facing death, as a Chaplain, you try to do what you can, but often it doesn't seem like enough. We lost to terminal illness, some very young men in the Department over the last nine years men who seemed too young to die. I also attended the funerals of some of our retired firefighters in the Department those men who gave so much to the Department over the years, and had answered their "final call." On happier occasions, it was always great to see some of the retired guys at the Annual Steak Roast or Open House their experience and their commitment over the years is a value to us all. Perhaps the most riveting experience of the last nine years for me, and I'm sure, for all Fire Chaplains, was the experience and the aftermath of 9/11. No Chaplaincy training can adequately prepare a minister for that kind of experience. Though it affected us all "from a distance," as a Department, many aspects hit close to home. 9/11 brought new reality to the risk that firefighters, and indeed all entrusted with public safety, face each day of their lives. It certainly gave me an even deeper sense of pride and appreciation for the men who protect us each day. East Longmeadow made a commitment on 9/11, "never to forget" those who were lost that day. It has always been a comforting and wonderful experience to attend and offer a prayer at the annual 9/11 Candlelight Memorial Service the Department conducts each year on that day. It is always touching to see the wonderful turnout of the community in support of the Department for that service. We all have much to be proud of in our firefighters in East Longmeadow. Once again, I thank all those associated with the East Longmeadow Fire Department, and especially Chief Wallace, whose leadership I have appreciated and respected for these many years. I wish him a very happy retirement! Though I wish I could have continued to serve as Chaplain, I will hold a special place in my heart and in my future prayers, for the members of the East Longmeadow Fire Department. Thank you for allowing me to serve you it has been an honor! Fr. Dan Pacholec East Longmeadow |
