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From YouTube: Firefighters Memorial Tree Dedication
Description
The memory of fallen Boston Firefighters Edward Walsh, Jr. and Michael Kennedy will now live on in the streets of the Back Bay thanks to the Garden Club. Mayor Walsh joins the Boston Fire Department, the Garden Club of the Back Bay, along with the Walsh and Kennedy families to dedicate a tree in memory of the two heroes who lost their lives in the fire at 298 Beacon Street in 2014.
A
We
welcome
the
families
of
these
brave
men.
We
also
welcome
our
fire
commissioner
Finn
of
the
City
of
Boston
mayor
Moulton,
Walsh,
Deputy,
Parks,
Commissioner,
Ryan
woods
and
our
own
Josh
Zakim.
Our
sincere
thanks
go
to
Brian
Atkins
and
Mark
Sanders
of
the
fire
department.
Who've
worked
for
two
years
to
make
this
event
possible
and
to
an
arborist
and
deputy
tree
warden
warden
max
for
diamond
for
selecting,
procuring
and
planting
the
beautiful
cherry
tree,
prunus
Okami.
A
B
B
B
So
today,
as
we
remember
their
lives
and
as
we
come
into
this
week
of
Passover
Holy,
Week
and
Easter,
we're
reminded
that,
as
this
beautiful
tree
blooms
again
and
again,
each
spring,
the
new
life
of
God's
promise
of
resurrection
will
also
be.
This
will
be
reminded
that
they
are
near
to
us
each
year
as
we
remember
them
and
love
and
ingratitude.
B
May
this
trees
speak
to
us
without
words,
but
just
in
its
beauty
and
remind
us
the
power
of
your
love,
God
that
shines
through
all
creation,
you're
loved
in
our
midst,
deeply
rooted
and
bringing
forth
new
life
hope
and
joy
each
season
so
God.
We
ask
you
to
bless
this
cherry
tree
and
even
though
I
was
a
landscaper
I
could
not
tell
you
what
the
Latin
name
was.
B
Prunus
okami
and
I
forgot.
The
holy
water
font,
so
I
brought
a
little
Poland
spring
to
bless
this
tree
so
Lord
as
we
bless
this
tree,
prunus
Okami.
We
dedicate
it
in
memory
of
Michael
and
Edie.
Today,
Lord
may
your
blessing
come
upon
it
and
upon
all
of
us,
may
you
nurture
it,
look
upon
it
and
may
all
those
who
walk
and
drive
by
it
and
live
near
it
bear
witness
to
ed
and
Michael
their
generosity
and
heroism,
and
to
your
unending
love
that
brings
forth
new
life
again
and
again,
let
the
crowd
say:
Amen.
C
Thank
you
Father
like
to
thank
Kristin
and
Kathy,
via
not
only
presidents,
but
the
fact
of
sacrifice
your
families
have
made
for
the
city
of
Boston,
there's
no
words
that
describe
what
took
place
here
five
years
ago
in
a
month
and
for
certainly
changed
a
number
of
lives,
and
particularly
yours
and
your
families,
and
the
sacrifice
that
ade
and
Mike
made
that
day
truly
will
live
on
and
the
boss
of
fight
apartment.
I'd
like
to
thank
Shirley
Smith
from
the
Garden
Club
of
the
Back
Bay
for
initiating
this
project.
I
share
her.
C
C
It's
hard
to
believe
it's
past
this
days,
I
wake
up,
and
it
feels
like
five
years
ago
in
those
days
I
wake
up
and
it
feels
like
it
was
yesterday.
I
can't
imagine
that
type
of
grief
that
the
Walsh
Kennedy
family
carry
on
what
took
place
five
years
ago
here
today.
But
this
tree
is
gonna,
make
the
difference,
along
with
a
number
of
the
initiatives
that
both
Kristen
has
established
in
Eddie's
name
with
the
Ed,
Walsh
Foundation
and
also
Kathy's
last
call
foundation.
C
Eddie
and
Mike's
memories
are
going
to
live
on
and
I
assure
you,
the
Boston,
Fire
Department
will
never
forget.
Eddie
and
Michael
sacrifice
on
March
26
2014
here
on
Beacon
Street
firefighters
are
unique
breed.
We
stick
together.
We
fight
sometimes
between
ourselves,
but
on
days
like
this,
we
always
come
together
and
it's
this
camaraderie
that
sets
us
apart
from
most
other
professions.
C
Some
people
like
to
say
it's
a
culture.
It's
certainly
a
culture,
but
it's
deeper.
It's
a
brotherhood
and
sisterhood
that
brings
firefighters
together
throughout
their
lives,
into
retirement
and
even
in
death,
and
we
will
never
forget
the
sacrifice
of
Ed
and
Mike
back
in
march
26th
2014,
and
what,
if
I,
could
just
like
to
recognize
a
couple
of
people
in
the
crowd
today,
I
have
chief
of
operations
throughout
Fontana
chief
of
operations,
John
Walsh
and
Deputy
Commissioner,
Carney
Wang
or
with
us
today.
I'd
also
like
to
recognize
deputy
chief
Steve
Schaeffer,
dr.
C
Chiefs
Steve
Shafer
was
actually
a
district
chief,
the
day
of
the
fire.
He
was
the
first
initial
instant
commander
on
seeing
that
day
and
some
his
decisions
made
a
difference
in
the
outcome.
We
have.
Many
many
more
lives
probably
would
have
been
lost
on
that
tragic
day,
but
it
was
this
initial
decision
to
pull
people
out
initially
that
probably
saved
some
lives
and
I
just
want
to
recognize
Steve
today
the
Back
Bay
garden
club.
Thank
you
so
much.
C
We
will
never
forget
with
that.
I
would
like
to
if
I
could
introduce
our
Mia
mayor
Walsh
Mia
Walsh
was
brand
new
Mia
the
day
of
that
fire.
So
on
you
have
only
three
months
when
the
fire
occurred
here
and
certainly
was
one
of
our
best
supporters.
Greater
supporters
on
the
street
that
day
with
us
and
certainly
true,
certainly
showed
his
beloved
Boston
firefighters
in
what
they
do
every
day
in
and
day
out,
and
certainly
is
proven
that
throughout
his
administration.
So
with
that
mail,
washroom.
D
Thank
You,
commissioner
and
I
want
to
thank
you
for
all
your
great
work
into
all
the
firefighters
behind
me:
men
and
women.
Thank
you
very
much
as
well.
I
want
to
talk
about
you
in
a
minute
to
president
local
7:18,
Boppity
d.
Thank
you
for
being
with
us,
Eddie
Kelly
for
me,
International
and
all
the
representatives
behind
us
to
the
Garden
Club
of
the
Back
Bay.
You
guys
are
amazing,
and
thank
you
for
doing
this.
D
This
truly
is
a
very
special
day
and
I
want
to
thank
you
for
your
love
and
support
not
only
of
the
two
people
that
we
lost
in
this
building,
but
their
families
in
the
entire
city
of
Boston.
So
thank
you
very
much
for
doing
this
to
the
Boston
Fire
Department,
who
put
their
life
on
the
line
for
us
every
day.
Thank
you
for
what
you
do
for
us
as
well
to
the
parks
department.
Thank
you
as
well.
I
know
Ryan's
here
and
Chris.
D
Thank
you
for
the
great
work
you
do
when
the
entire
Parks
Department
all
the
family
and
friends
and
the
in
the
residents
of
the
Back
Bay
Inn
counselors
a
calm.
Thank
you.
As
well
for
your
love
and
support,
I
want
to
especially
thank
the
families
of
Eddie
Walsh
Michael
Kennedy,
who
I've
got
to
know
and
love
over
the
last
five
years.
Not
a
day
goes
by
that
our
city
isn't
grateful
for
the
sacrifices
that
your
family
has
with
our
city
and
gave
to
our
city,
Edie
and
Myka.
Certainly
true
American
heroes.
D
They
embody
the
spirit
of
Boston
bravery,
selflessness
and
dedication
to
their
professions.
I
said
this
I
said
this
publicly,
but
on
that
day,
in
2014,
I
was
standing
across
the
street
here
and
a
few
days
after
that,
Eddie
Kelly
sent
me
some
facebook
posts
and
the
Facebook
post
was
Michael.
Holding
Amati
wall
sign
for
Mia
in
Eddie,
holding
a
money
wall
sign
for
mayor
and
and
I
didn't
know
that
at
the
time
and
to
me
it
was
personal
prior
to
that.
D
But
it
became
real
personal
after
that,
knowing
that
that
summer
leading
up
to
2013
that
they
were
out
there
campaigning
for
me,
because
they
believe
that
that
I'd
be
the
right
guy
to
be
the
city
of
Boston
and
I
want
to
just
thank
that
your
families
I
never
thanked.
You
for
that
I
want
to
thank
you
for
that
as
well.
D
I'll,
never
forget
the
scene
here
five
years
ago
that
day
I
learned
very
quickly
as
a
new
mayor
to
be
dedicated
to
public
dedication
to
public
service
means
to
community
in
your
neighbor
and
I
learned
that
day
as
a
mayor,
putting
your
life
on
the
line
and
what
exactly
that
means.
Our
firefighters
ran
towards
the
fire,
but
without
a
second
thought,
or
a
single
hesitation
wanted
to
make
sure
that
no
one
was
in
this
building.
D
It's
today
is
a
beautiful
day
at
home,
because
today's
about
not
forgetting
and
the
fire
department
has
a
model
that
will
never
forget
the
fallen
and
they
recognize
the
fallen
every
year
at
the
mass
and
oftentimes.
When
you
go
by
the
fire
houses,
you
recognize
the
fallen,
but
something
special
happening
here
in
this
neighborhood,
the
community
didn't
forget,
the
community
didn't
forget,
and
that's
what
today's
about
and
again
I
want
to.
D
I
want
to
thank
you
because
their
influence
and
their
memory
is
going
to
continue
to
influence
fellow
firefighters,
families
and
friends,
and
their
children
and
I
want
to
say
a
special
thank
you
to
engine
33,
Latta,
17,
Latta,
50
and
all
the
families
and
all
the
firefighters
there.
Some
firefighters
behind
me
that
we
most
of
them
were
here
that
day,
I
want
to
thank
you
for
your
commitment
and
dedication
as
well.
D
I
want
to
thank
you
for
what
you
do
for
our
city,
it's
hard
to
come
up
with
the
right
words
to
say
today:
I
really
don't
have
them,
but
it's
not
about
me
and
it's
not
about
us.
It's
about
you,
guys,
the
families
and
it's
about
that
beautiful
tree
right
there
and
the
reason
why
that
trees
planted.
So
thank
you,
god
bless
you
and
we
will
always
be
with
you.
E
Hello,
everyone
thank
you
all
for
coming,
especially
the
families
Kristin
and
Kathy
quality
SIA
like
to
recognize
a
couple
of
people.
Union
officials,
Eddie
Kelly,
is
the
general
secretary
treasurer
of
the
International
Association
of
firefighters,
who
represent
all
the
firefighters
around
the
United
States
in
Canada
Jake
Kolbert
he's
the
third
District
vice
president
in
the
International
Association
of
firefighters.
He
represents
all
the
firefighters
in
the
New
England
area
and
Michi
McKinnon,
who
is
the
president
of
the
state,
firefighters,
association,
professional
firefighters
in
Massachusetts,.
E
Kind
of
a
tough
day,
a
lot
of
people
say
they
remember
when
certain
events
happened
in
history,
the
JFK
shooting
the
space
shuttle
Challenger
explosion
or
when
a
bunch
of
terrorists
hijacked
an
airplane
and
declared
war
in
the
United
States
how'd
that
work
out
for
them.
I
have
a
similar
memory,
myself,
I'll,
never
forget
where
I
was
on
March
26
2014
I
was
at
Boston
Fire
headquarters,
talking
to
chief
Granero,
about
adding
training
classes
to
the
target
safety
program
for
the
saut
companies,
which
he
actually,
coincidentally,
includes
engine
33
and
ladder.
15.
E
Radio
chatter
is
a
regular
part
of
life.
If
you're
a
firefighter
when
I
first
came
on
the
job,
there
were
guys
that
could
count
boxes.
Those
are
those
when
you
have
a
fire
there's
a
box
that
is
struck.
They
could
front
countless
boxes
in
their
sleep.
It's
something
that
becomes
part
of
your
life.
You
learn
what
is
regular
chatter
and
when
something
doesn't
sound
right.
E
Well,
chief
Kannamma
and
I
were
talking
engine
33
calling
for
water.
There
was
a
bit
of
concern
in
the
officers
voice,
chicken,
corn,
opera
and
I
continued
to
talk,
but
now
we
were
actually
listening
a
little
while
later
in
233
called
again
to
fire
alarm.
Are
you
coming
to
get
us
I
told
chief
granola
that
I
had
to
go?
I
ran
to
my
car,
which
didn't
have
lights
and
sirens
and
began
making
my
way
to
Beacon
Street
as
I
began.
E
Moving
in
that
direction,
I
jumped
in
behind
another
vehicle
that
did
have
lights
and
sirens
and
I
knew.
There
was
no
way
they
were
losing
me
as
if
we
approached
the
fire,
the
vehicle
that
was
falling,
turned
left
onto
Fairfield
I
continued
down
car
may
have
and
turned
onto
Dartmouth
I
parked
at
the
curb
just
before
Beacon
Street,
as
I
approached
the
fire.
All
I
could
see,
was
heavy
smoke
blowing
across
the
Beacon
Street,
but
couldn't
see
any
fire.
E
I
took
a
quick
look
down
the
street,
but
then
decided
the
fire
must
be
around
the
back
in
this
part
of
the
city.
The
only
way
to
actually
get
to
the
back
of
the
building
is
either
through
the
building
or
around
the
block.
I
ran
around
the
block
and
made
my
way
down
back
street
towards
the
fire
building
as
they
approached
the
building.
I
got
a
much
better
view
of
what
we
were
up
against.
There
was
a
one-story
building,
perpendicularly
attached
to
the
fire
building,
probably
a
garage
or
a
storage
shed.
E
E
We
found
one
of
our
guys
and
he's
on
his
way
out.
She
had
a
gurney
with
her.
She
said
here.
Take
this,
then
she
got
on
the
radio
and
asked
for
help.
I
bade
the
gurney
over
to
the
area
outside
the
entrance
to
the
basement.
Apartment
michael
was
already
on
his
way
out.
Tragically
everyone's
efforts
that
day
were
in
vain.
We
lost
one
of
our
own
and
while
it
was
at
the
hospital
with
michael,
I
found
out
that
we
had
not
lost
one
but
two.
E
I
remember
the
feeling
of
loss,
but
even
more
a
feeling
that
I
didn't
do
enough.
I
was
somehow
responsible
for
one
of
our
guys
not
making
it
home
that
day,
not
sure
what
to
do
for
what
you
do
for
a
living,
but
the
worst
feeling
you
can
have
as
a
firefighter
that
that
is
the
worst
feeling
you
can
have
as
a
firefighter.
I
remember
the
words
of
a
retired
captain
jack
mckenna.
E
You
may
get
dinged
up
a
bit
or
even
break
a
bone
or
two,
but
at
the
end
of
the
day
we
all
go
home
together.
March
26
2014
was
the
first
time.
I
was
at
an
incident
when
that
promise
wasn't
kept
and
I
will
do
everything
in
my
power
to
make
sure
it
never
happens.
Again.
You
see
as
firefighters.
We
learn
from
bad
thing
when
bad
things
happen.
I
remember.
E
Words
from
Jimmy,
McDonald
and
old
well-respected
firefighter
loose
ends
passed
away.
He
gave
me
a
couple
of
words
of
wisdom
when
I,
first
short
time
after
I
got
on
the
job.
He
said:
hey
kid:
firefighters
aren't
the
smartest
people
in
the
world,
but
eventually
they
figured
people
out
and
for
better
or
worse
you
own
it.
You
want
it
for
the
rest
of
your
life.
I'll,
never
forget
those
words
and
I'll,
never
forget
what
happened
on
March
26
2014
I
like
to
end
with
the
toast,
Teddy
and
Michael.
E
F
F
Hidden
mic
will
forever
be
linked
by
what
happened
here
five
years
ago,
but
that
shouldn't
define
either
one
of
them.
Michael
was
so
much
more
than
that.
He
was
a
terrific
son
brother,
marine
big
brother,
ed,
was
a
terrific,
dad,
son
father,
both
of
them
excellent
firefighters.
A
lot
of
things
happened
here
that
day,
but
the
honor
and
valor
exemplified
by
those
two
gentlemen,
should
never
ever
be
forgotten.
F
Firefighters
all
around
the
country
came
here
that
week
to
celebrate
the
lives
of
both
ed
and
Mike
and
going
forward
all
the
firefighters
across
the
country
should
take
pride
in
the
fact
that
the
commitment
and
the
selfishness
and
the
courage
that
was
exemplified
on
Beacon
Street
that
windy
March
day
was
can't
be
so
tough
sauna.
Fight,
as
it
was
in
those
two
gentlemen,
shall
be
forever
linked.
They'll
be
forever
linked
by
this
memorial
and
I
want
to
just
read
one
of
the
lines
on
it.
F
I
just
picked
this
program
up,
and
it
said,
as
this
tree
grows
and
its
roots
become
stronger,
so
soft,
so
shall
the
memory
of
their
sacrifice,
and
if
we
can
all
leave
here
today
with
a
commitment
to
live
our
lives
as
selflessly
compassionately
and
courageously,
as
that
in
Mike
did
five
years
ago,
would
all
be
better
served
by
that.
Thank
you
very
much.
C
C
of
Engine
Company
33
and
firefighter
Michael
Kennedy
of
Ladder
Company
15,
who
died
in
the
line
of
duty
protecting
the
citizens
of
Boston
on
March
26
2014
at
298,
Beacon,
Street,
Fox,
nine,
one,
five,
seven
nine,
as
this
tree
grows
and
its
roots
become
stronger,
so
shall
the
memory
of
their
sacrifice
given
by
the
Garden
Club
of
the
Back
Bay
2018.
Thank
you
now.
At
this
point,
I
like
to
have
father
only
come
up
for
closing
prayer.
B
As
we
remember
you
Mike
and
Eddie,
so
let
us
pray
Lord
God.
We
ask
you
to
bless
this
site
and
bless.
This
gathering
bless
our
city,
our
mayor,
our
commissioner,
all
the
leadership
with
a
Boston
Fire
Department,
plus
the
rank-and-file
of
the
Boston
Fire
Department,
and
the
members
of
Engine
Company
33
and
ladder
15,
our
friends
God.
We
ask
you
to
bless
this
community
here
in
Boston
in
this
neighborhood
on
Beacon
Street
in
the
Back
Bay.