Owen Family visit to the Strand Theatre Memorial
On Tuesday July 20th, Brockton Firefighters IAFF Local 144 had a special guest visit to the city. Thomas Owens, his wife Peggy and his their daughter Erin Quinn took a day trip to the City of Champions to visit the original Strand Theatre Memorial which sits in the rotunda in front of the Mayor's office at City Hall.
They drove 5 hours, a 300 mile Journey, to see the piece of anthracite coal that was etched by Thomas's grandfather William, a Scranton, PA firefighter. The family found out about tablet while reading his obituary. The following is an excerpt from the book written by Jim Benson, Nicole Casper and Retired Brockton Fire Chief Ken Galligan about the Strand Fire.
"On March 10, 1942 a tablet inscribed with the names of the 13th Strand victims was unveiled at Brockton City Hall. The tablet is a piece of anthracite coal carved by William J. Owens then a fireman with the Scranton Pennsylvania Fire Department. It was presented by Scranton Firefighters then IAFF Local 669 to Brockton Firefighters Local 144 on August 1, 1941. Captain Charles G McCarthy president of Local 144 presented the tablet to Mayor Joseph H. Downey at the ceremony held March 10, 1942. The Mayor accepted the Memorial tablet on behalf of the city and its citizens. Enclosed in glass, the engraved piece of coal sits on a marble base. The base is engraved with the names of other Brockton firefighters who lost their lives in line of duty."
Tom explained that the coal was most likely taken from a mine that was directly opposite the homestead, which is still owned by the family in Scranton. The mine is now the site of an elementary school. The trio was welcomed to the City by a delegation of Local 144 members, current and retired and was presented a Mayoral Proclamation.
The new Strand Memorial outside of City Hall was shown to them, and it was explained that each year we remember the fallen 13 in front of the 1941 monument and then move outside, laying a wreath at each.
They also visited Station 1 and the Brockton Fire Museum. Local 144 President Bill Hill presented the family with a copy of the book "Strand Theatre Fire" and a commemorative Strand Coin. Local 144 was very pleased to meet the family and hope they can attend the March 10th ceremony in the near future.
This text was written by DC Edward Williams and Bob Myers of Local 144 and the Brockton Fire Department.
Read MoreThey drove 5 hours, a 300 mile Journey, to see the piece of anthracite coal that was etched by Thomas's grandfather William, a Scranton, PA firefighter. The family found out about tablet while reading his obituary. The following is an excerpt from the book written by Jim Benson, Nicole Casper and Retired Brockton Fire Chief Ken Galligan about the Strand Fire.
"On March 10, 1942 a tablet inscribed with the names of the 13th Strand victims was unveiled at Brockton City Hall. The tablet is a piece of anthracite coal carved by William J. Owens then a fireman with the Scranton Pennsylvania Fire Department. It was presented by Scranton Firefighters then IAFF Local 669 to Brockton Firefighters Local 144 on August 1, 1941. Captain Charles G McCarthy president of Local 144 presented the tablet to Mayor Joseph H. Downey at the ceremony held March 10, 1942. The Mayor accepted the Memorial tablet on behalf of the city and its citizens. Enclosed in glass, the engraved piece of coal sits on a marble base. The base is engraved with the names of other Brockton firefighters who lost their lives in line of duty."
Tom explained that the coal was most likely taken from a mine that was directly opposite the homestead, which is still owned by the family in Scranton. The mine is now the site of an elementary school. The trio was welcomed to the City by a delegation of Local 144 members, current and retired and was presented a Mayoral Proclamation.
The new Strand Memorial outside of City Hall was shown to them, and it was explained that each year we remember the fallen 13 in front of the 1941 monument and then move outside, laying a wreath at each.
They also visited Station 1 and the Brockton Fire Museum. Local 144 President Bill Hill presented the family with a copy of the book "Strand Theatre Fire" and a commemorative Strand Coin. Local 144 was very pleased to meet the family and hope they can attend the March 10th ceremony in the near future.
This text was written by DC Edward Williams and Bob Myers of Local 144 and the Brockton Fire Department.
