Boston Mourns 2 Fallen Firefighters
BOSTON (CBS/AP) — Fellow firefighters and regular citizens are paying their respects to two Boston firefighters who died fighting a fire in a brownstone.
Photos: Tributes Honor Two Fallen Boston Firefighters
A makeshift memorial of flowers, candles, condolence notes and even a green Red Sox baseball cap has sprung up outside the Boylston Street home station of Lt. Edward Walsh and Michael Kennedy, who died in the Back Bay fire Wednesday.
Passers-by on Thursday paused on their way to work, some adding to it.
Seventeen-year Somerville Fire veteran Earl Johnson, like many New Englanders, came to Engine 33's home station offering support and prayers.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports
Mourners Pay Tribute At Fire Station
"These guys paid the ultimate price. Down the road, who knows, it could be me," Johnson said. "It's not my first, and I'm sure it won't be our last loss. But we get up in the morning, and when that tone goes off, we do what we need to do."
Johnson placed flowers at the memorial on Thursday morning before kneeling to pray.
"We protect our brothers as best as we can, and we just try to get home," Johnson said.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports
Governor Inspired By Firefighters' Devotion To Job
Gov. Deval Patrick also visited the station, saying he wanted to express "my admiration and my thanks" to the friends and colleagues of Walsh and Kennedy.
Patrick called their deaths "an unspeakably sad loss."
He said their colleagues are commiserating together and telling funny stories about their fallen friends as any family would do.
Patrick called Walsh, a father of three, "a quintessential family man" who "lived his whole life as a leader."
Kennedy, the governor said, responded to last year's marathon bombings and had applied to run this year's race.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports
Berklee Offers Condolence Gift Of Music To Firefighter Neighbors
The U.S. flag outside the station has been placed at half-staff in honor of the fallen firefighters along with a symbolic black bunting draped over the facade of the station.
Memorial Fund
A Lieutenant Walsh - Firefighter Kennedy Memorial Fund has been established.
Donations will be accepted by mail by sending a check to:
Lieutenant Walsh - Firefighter Kennedy Memorial Fund
Boston Firefighters Credit Union
60 Hallet Street
Dorchester, MA 02124
Credit card donations will also be accepted on BOSFIRECU.COM
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