Each and every year on May 4 since 1999 the world observes International Firefighters Day while this year West Grove Fire Company started a new tradition with a Mass. West Grove Fire Company Firefighters Joey Nash and Danny O'Connell worked closely with head pastor Reverend William S. Murphy and his staff at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish (ABVM) in West Grove to hold a special Mass in honor of the firefighters within West Grove Fire Company. For more information about International Firefighters' Day please see their webpage at www.firefightersday.org.

Due to a scheduling conflict Reverend Murphy was unavailable for Mass on Sunday, May 4th therefore the Mass was held on Sunday, April 27 at 10AM at the main church located at 300 State Road in London Grove Township. Members met at Station 22 at 0700 hours to polish Engine 22 which would handle this special assignment. Once the cleaning detail was over, the members suited up in their Class A uniform. At 0930 hours Engine 22 along with Firefighters Joey Nash & Danny O'Connell and Past President Bill "Radar" O'Connell departed the station.

At 0958 hours the company was alerted for a medical alert alarm in the Luther House apartment complex; Engine 22 was due on the box but Engine 12 picked it up and handled with an Ambulance from Station 21 (Union).

Just as the Homily section of Mass was completed, Reverend Murphy asked for those firefighters present to stand up and he said a prayer for those present and those that are firefighters in the community of West Grove. At the end of the prayer Reverend Murphy order for a round of applause. After this the order of Mass returned as normal. Those members present from West Grove Fire Company were also asked to walk the gifts up for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

At the conclusion of Mass, members opened up Engine 22 to display to fellow parishioners and it was a hit, especially with the kids! On behalf of the members of the West Grove Fire Company we would like to extend our thanks to everyone at ABVM that helped make this possible and we look forward to continuing this tradition next year. In the meantime on May 4th if you see any firefighter take a moment and say thank you for their service!