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Courtesy of Billy Goldfeder of Firefighter Close Calls, the following information has been released regarding the memorial services for two firefighters killed in a recent Wilmington (DE) fire.
Lieutenant Christopher Leach and Senior Firefighter Jerry Fickes, Jr. will be memorialized during a joint ceremony on Saturday, October 1, 2016, the Wilmington Firefighter’s Association, Local 1590, announced on Tuesday.
The public service, to be held at the Chase Center on the Riverfront, will begin at 1:00 p.m., with doors opening at 12 p.m. This will be the only event where departments will be able to stage their apparatus as part of a static display of honor.
Funeral Services
Senior Firefighter Jerry Fickes, Jr.
There will be a public viewing at the Grace Lutheran Church, 2033 Graves Rd., Hockessin, DE onThursday, September 29, 2016 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Fire personnel are asked to pay their respects during this time. A second viewing will occur from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 30, 2016, with a private service to follow immediately afterwards. It is requested that this event remain one for family, friends, and members of the Wilmington Fire Department. Seating and parking will be extremely limited at this church.
Lieutenant Christopher Leach
Services will be held at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, 809 S Broom St., in Wilmington on Friday, September 30, 2016. The day will begin at 10 a.m. with a viewing that will be open to family and friends, the Wilmington Fire Department and local first responders. It will be followed by a funeral mass starting at 12 p.m. In addition, honor guards, as well as pipes and drums, are invited to attend.
The parking, staging, contact e-mail and report times for the outside departments are as follows:
Honor Guards
Public Safety Honor Guards from all departments are welcome at the funeral mass for Lt. Christopher Leach on Friday, and at the joint memorial service on Saturday. You are asked that you e-mail Griff Jordan at gjordan188@gmail.com if you plan on participating, include the mode of transportation (car-bus-van) and how many members are attending. For the funeral mass, please arrive by 8:00 a.m. at the church. For the joint memorial service, arrival should be no later than 10:30 a.m. (parking lots open at 8:00 a.m.). You will be parking in Lot A and be part of the opening ceremony. Please note, there may be extra security procedures put in place that will require an earlier arrival time. Please check the web site at www.wilmingtonfirefighters.org for the latest logistic information.
Pipes and Drums
Pipes and Drums from all departments are welcome at the joint memorial service. You are asked that you e-mail Mike Khairzada at mkhairzada@comcast.net if you plan on participating, and include the mode of transportation (car-bus-van) you have and how many members are attending. Please arrive no later than 10:30 a.m. (parking lots open at 8:00 a.m.). You will be parking in Lot A and be part of the opening ceremony. Please note there may be extra security procedures put in place that will require an earlier arrival time. Please check the web site at www.wilmingtonfirefighters.org for the latest logistic information.
Outside Fire Fighters with Apparatus
If you plan to arrive at Saturday’s joint memorial service on fire apparatus, please enter Lot B no later than 10:00 a.m. (parking lots open at 8:00 a.m.). You will be positioned at the venue for a static display for the arrival of the families and the public. It is requested that no outside apparatus attend the funeral services. Outside fire fighters and first responders are asked to arrive at the Chase Center no later than 10:30 a.m. Upon arrival, you will be directed to specific parking and then to the entrance for seating inside the venue. Please note there may be extra security procedures put in place that will require an earlier arrival time. Please check the web site at www.wilmingtonfirefighters.org for the latest logistic information.
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