From time to time, Local 76 and the Somerville Fire Department will receive letters of thanks.  Here are a few of the letters.....

Hello All -

Dear Chief Kelleher,

On behalf of the O'Halloran family, I would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to the men and women of the Somerville Fire Department for the services provided during the funeral services for my brother Dennis O'Halloran.

Dennis loved Somerville, and he loved being a member of the Somerville Fire Department.  I know he would have been proud (and as he looked down I know he was) to see the outstanding tribute provided him by the firefighters who stood ever so proudly as honor guard, by the firefighters who served as pall bearers at the funeral service, and the "final salute" tribute performed at the gravesite.  Especially moving, were the playing of "Taps" and the bagpipes playing of Amazing Grace.

Once again, please extend to the men and women of the Somerville Fire Department our most sincere gratitude for their service.  They are truly professionals in every sense of the word.

                                                                                                                                             Sincerely,

                                                                                                                                             John O'Halloran

To All the kind men involved in coming to my house,

This is long overdue but I've had a tough few months but I want to say I am deeply grateful for how you came to my rescue on the night of October 1st.  I have almost no scars after having 2nd degree burns and I know I owe that and my life to you as I was definitely overwhelmed with the smoke that night.  So thank you very much and I wish all of you and yours a wonderful holiday season filled with blessings.

                                                           Gratefully,

                                                           Louise Hogan

Dear Local 76 -

All of our families want to thank you for the great gifts for Christmas.  Every year you never forget us and you should know how much we and the families appreciate it.  Thank you also for the time involved purchasing, wrapping and delivering.  All of the kids were very excited - sorry they all weren't there when the gifts were delivered.

                                                                                                                            Sincerely,

                                                                                                                            The Cross Street Shelter

To: The Somerville Fire Department -

To all the firefighters,

     Thank you for your quick response to the 911 call last night (2/11/08) at 170 Highland Avenue. Your professionalism is applauded. Thank you for everything you do as firemen!

                                         Angela & Bob DiTucci


Dear Seven's Heaven crew,

     Thank you for coming to my aid on Saturday afternoon when I slipped on the ice. Thank you for staying with me until Michael Avery got his car to take me to the hospital. I didn't think it was necessary but ended up with eight stitches on my head. I missed Mass but was able to make my sister's birthday party and celebrate many blessings.

                                                   Thank you,
                                                   Peg Brennan

To Lt. Joe Galvin and all the Engine Seven men, 

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your swift and lifesaving help on Monday, January 21, 2008 at the Jeanne Jugan residence. Four generations of our family were involved and what should or could have been a tragedy was turned into a happy life saving experience thanks to your expertise and humor. We will be forever grateful. With love and thanks,  Sheila Colligan, Eleanor Curtin

It is with a great deal of respect and admiration that I thank each of
you for the "brick" which is a part of the Fallen Firefighters Memorial in
memory of my late husband, Robert Brickley.

I did purchase the license plates and was going to find out how one purchased a "brick" but was informed by the Committee that most fire departments were purchasing their own.

I went on to the Fallen Firefighters Memorial site and saw both Bob and Mr.
Reilly's names. You can only imagine how proud I was and how grateful I am to all of you that his name was there!!! Thank you so much for remembering him.

That tragic evening took place over thirty years ago but one never forgets and if I can make a donation, I'd love to.

Again, many thanks from the bottom of my heart.
Gail Brickley

Dear Chief Kelleher -

My thanks and respect to SFD and Local 76 for the hospitality and comradery displayed during the memorials in Boston recently. As always, I Iook forward to returning the compliment if you  or any of the SFD members find yourselves in the Bay Area of No. California.

Take Care, Be Safe
Captain Bob Connolly - Santa Clara, CA Fire Department

Chief Kelleher,

On Labor Day, Monday August 4, 2006, Saugus Engine Co. 1 was dispatched to a call for a motorcycle into a pole on Rt. 1, as you know this usually does not have a good outcome.  Upon our arrival we found the female operator of the motorcycle lying in the roadway with a man in a fire dept. uniform, not from Saugus, holding manual c-spine traction on the female.  The man holding traction was an off-duty Deputy Chief from Somerville, he had just left work and was on his way home when he happened upon the accident.  Without concern for his own safety he rendered aid to the injured motorcyclist ensuring that she did not further injure herself.  The accident occured at a particularly dangerous corner leading to Rt. 1 Northbound from Rt. 99, with vehicles still racing by, Deputy Chief Steve Keenan stayed with the patient until we arrived and even assisted with boarding the patient.  Once the patient was safely inside the ambulance Deputy Keenan quietly slipped away, not wanting to make a big deal of his actions.  His actions though are what make Firefighters unique; Firefighters actually stop, even when off duty, to render aid, while others continue to drive by, only slowing long enough to look at the accident.  Most of the time the work we do goes unnoticed, except by us, please extend my thanks to Deputy Keenan for his assistance, I know the patient was probably comforted by his presence until we arrived.

Sincerely,

Captain Christopher Rizza - Engine Co. 1 - Saugus Fire Department

August 2, 2006

Dear Chief Kelleher,

I am writing to commend Firefighter Christian Howard and Arthur Amato for an act of unselfish bravery on Sunday July 30, 2006 in the City of Salem, MA.  At 1516 we received a telephone alarm for a building fire at 188 North Street.  Prior to the arrival of the Fire Department and without protection of hose lines or protective clothing, both men made their way into the three-story building using the front staircase.  Their intent was to notify anyone in the building of the fire.  Upon exiting the structure both men were cut off from the first floor by the advancing fire.  They were forced out onto a small second floor porch roof where they then had to jump to the ground.  The City provider, Northshore Ambulance administered O2 and recommended they seek medical attention.

Neither of these gentlemen stayed to tell their story or look for a thank you.  They did what men of good character do; they looked out for the well being of another.  I am sure you are proud of both their actions but especially proud that Christian is a Firefighter with the Somerville Fire Department.  His actions reflect well on you and your entire department.

Sincerely,

David W. Cody - Chief of the Salem Fire Department

To all of the members of Local 76 and firefighters of Somerville,

Up until St. Patrick's Day last Friday, my father Gus Anderson was the oldest living retired firefighter in Somerville, having enjoyed his post-working life after spending many years working at the Teele Square firehouse, only 5 minutes away from our house on Paulina Street.  He left Paulina Street when the house simply got too big to care for, and moved to 114 Highland Avenue for 4 years before moving once more with my mother to the Little Sisters of the Poor where they both needed more care.

Our family buried my dad today and I would like to thank Local 76 for the flowers and the presence of the 2 detailed firemen - Capt. Charlie Breen and Lt. Joe Galvin, for their respect and support.  My friend and firefighter Paul Gillis was also there and we were honored to have them.

The Somerville firefighters are a close brotherhood of dedicated public servants and my father was one of them.

Once again, thanks very much for your kindness and respect.

Best Wishes,

The family of Gus Anderson, Badge 102 (retired), Somerville, MA

Dear Chief Kelleher,

This is to offer my gratitude and say a very big THANK YOU, to a great team of firefighters.  Almost three weeks ago, I adopted a new kitty (14 months old) from the MSPCA.  She was in the house just over 24 hours, when she managed through her endless explorations to find her way into an opening in the exposed chimney on the third floor, which I didn't even know existed.

One moment she was there, and then she wasn't.  I had no idea how far she had fallen and whether she was in between floors, in the basement, in the wall of my tenants unit, cooking in the chimney.  Fortunately, your team of men and women were on the scene in minutes, and with a mirror they looked into the opening and saw her sitting in the chase about three feet down.  With their skill, good humor and assurance, they got her out, unharmed, and I breathed a very big AMEN.

So, I extend my heartfelt thanks to a wonderful team of firefighters for all of the community service they provide to us.

Sincerely,

Marie Manis

Message: I just want to let the Mayor and all the City of Somerville Officials,
no how thankful I am to the three firefighters that came to my home last night
for what I considered an emergency call.  On Monday 1/23/06 my 4 year old cat
went missing.  For two days we looked everywhere for her.  On Wednesday night
we were printing up pictures of her to post in the neighborhood when my husband
heard her meow.  We once again started looking frantically for her.  We realized
that her cries were coming from inside the wall.  We tried to get her out by
removing the drop ceiling tiles but we could not. She had dropped down to far to
see her, or reach her.  I called 911.  I explained my story to the dispatcher
and she said she would send out the fire dept.  I was not sure if the fire
department would have the time, or would they even consider this an emergency. 
The three men that came out from the Teele Square Fire House were WONDERFUL..
They were not only willing to help, but they were eager to free my cat and save
her.  These men were Kind, compassionate, Caring, Understanding, Professional,
everything that you could only hope for in a person. They took the time tapping
on the wall to locate her,with in the wall. So when they cut the wall they would
not injure her in the process.
After the hole was made we were able to pull her out safely. She is doing fine
now thanks to the three firefighters that came to her rescue.  I did not get
their names but, I feel the City of Somerville should be so proud to have them
representing this City.  I can not thank them enough for everything they did. 

Sincerely
Shirley & Stephen McCloud.