The entire community continues to mourn the tragic loss of Lt. Charles McCarthy and Firefighter Jonathon Croom. The Electric Tower in downtown Bufalo is lit up tonight in the color purple as a sign of mourning for these two heroes.
Thousands of firefighters and first responders from all over the worldl are here in Western New York tonight, paying tribute to their fallen comrades.
They came to play bagpipes, and salute, and pay honor to lives lost in the service of firefighting. "It's a very big token to celebrate one's life and unfortunately one's passing," said Deputy Chief Peter Donovan of the Oswego Fire Department.
The arm-patches worn on dress uniforms reflected a cross-section of firefighters from all over. "We're all a family, so that's what its all about, and you take a look around, a look at all of the patches, from every city that's here, you've got cities from Florida, Toronto, Mississauga," said Capt. Kevin McGahon of the Toronto Fire Department.
The Emerald Society Pipes & Drums, made up of active-duty and retired firefighters, came from Washington, DC to play at both Lt. McCarthy's and Firefighter Croom's funeral services.
"We heard about the tragic deaths up here in Buff from one of their union members. And of course, we were more than happy and honored to come up here and send the brothers off in a traditional way," said Kevin Sloane, the leader of the Emerald Society Pipes & Drums.
And it's the tradition and the pageantry that takes the breath away: - An American flag hanging suspended from two ladders - A sea of blue uniforms precisely lined up at the church entrance - And the mournful swell of bagpipers following the casket.
The magnitude of it all has comforted Buffalo firefighters who are grieving tonight. "Its truly heart warming, as a member of the Buffalo Fire Department, to see the outpouring from U.S. and Canada for both Chip and Jonathan," said Buffalo Fire Department Capt. Daniel Flaherty.
When lives are lost in the line of duty, this is the least these brothers can do. "I thought it was very beautiful, very well done. And I loved the contingency of the Buffalo Fire Department and all the other fire departments that came here, I thought it was a very good showing," said McGahon.
