Firefighters Observe Memorial Day With Low-Key Dignity

GOLDENS BRIDGE, NY — Despite having to postpone its plans for a Memorial Day Parade, the Golden's Bridge Fire Department assembled a small group of firefighters on Saturday. They planted flowers around the American Legion Monument on the firehouse grounds and participated in a low-key but dignified observance of those who served and sacrificed in the U.S. Military, including the 76 members of the Golden's Bridge community who served in World Wars I and II and whose names are emblazoned on bronze plaques on the 4-ton granite stone.

With purple bunting and turnout gear they also honored Jack Alonzo, a longtime member of the Golden's Bridge Fire Department who passed away recently at the age of 95, and who was a member of the U.S. Navy who fought in World War II.

The Fire Department had been planning to host a grand Memorial Day Parade along Route 138, but not just any parade. It would have culminated at the Golden’s Bridge Firehouse with a dramatic wreath-laying ceremony at the American Legion Monument – the first such observance since the 4-ton granite stone was relocated to the firehouse last October. A community barbecue was also planned after the ceremony. Then came the COVID-19 outbreak.

The department resumed its caretaker role of this important piece of local history when the American Legion Monument was moved from the Community House on Old Bedford Road (in Old Golden's Bridge) after the sale of the building by the Town of Lewisboro to a private owner. The monument had been located on the firehouse grounds for decades.

“We felt that it was best to conduct a low-key, but dignified and respectful ceremony that provided proper acknowledgement and reverence to the members of Golden’s Bridge families who served in the World Wars, as well as all those who sacrificed their lives while serving in the U.S. military,” said Fire Commissioner Joe Simoncini, a longtime GBFD member, and chairman of the Memorial Day Parade and events that were supposed to take place on May 25

The pandemic forced the GBFD to postpone the event to a later date, tentatively around the July 4 Independence Day Weekend, depending on state laws at that time involving gatherings and distancing.

“We understood how some residents wanted to attend even this limited ceremony, but we had to close it to all outside participation for the health, safety and well-being of our firefighters – who we must protect in order to keep them on the front lines and available to respond to all 9-1-1 emergencies,” said Simoncini, who is working with the chiefs and other department members on plans for the rescheduled event.

Echoing Simoncini's sentiments was Golden's Bridge Fire Chief Al Melillo, who said, “There will be a time in the future when we can safely gather and acknowledge as a community those who have served our country, including the descendants of Golden’s Bridge families. We look forward to that day.”

Simoncini said that local residents could make quick drop-by visits to the American Legion Monument, as long as firefighters are not on the firehouse grounds and no emergency-related activity is in progress. Visits to the monument should be short, and visitors should not park in front of the firehouse doors or block the driveway entry/exit. All visitors must follow current state laws involving social distancing, wearing masks and other coronavirus-related regulations.