Stoughton Firefighters past and present gathered at the Central Street fire station this past Sunday morning for the annual Firefighter Sunday event.
It is a day to honor and thank those currently serving, as well as those who are now retired, and, it's a day to remember deceased firefighters or those who died in the line of duty.
"It's not a profession, it's a calling," Board of Selectman Chair John Anzivino said during his remarks.
"I think about the common bond we share as firefighters," Chief Mark Dolloff said. Chief Dolloff was honored for reaching 30-years of service with the department.
One of the common themes shared during the June 9 event was the fact that firefighters are always on duty even when they are not on the clock, so to speak.
Just some of the examples referenced at Firefighter Sunday was Tim Carroll helping to save the life of an 85-year-old while out to dinner; Chief Dolloff helping to save a man's life while on vacation in St. Thomas; or Captain Bob O'Donnell as a spectator at the finish line of the Boston Marathon springing into action after the bombings took place.
Almost fittingly, in keeping with the theme of firefighters always being on duty, during the roll call, which pays tribute to fallen firefighters Edward Kelleher and Victor Melendy, as well as to past firefighters who have since passed away, a group of current Stoughton Firefighters had to leave and respond to a call.
In addition to Chief Dolloff and Selectman Anzivino, Fire Lt. Jim Curtin, Firefighter Jeff Ledin, Acting Deputy Chief Greg Goldberg (who served as emcee for the ceremony) and retired Deputy Paul Roach, Jr. all spoke. Roach thanked the Department for all of its support after his father, former Chief Paul Roach, Sr., passed away this past October.
Mallory Breen, daughter of Stoughton Fire Captain Scott Breen, sang the National Anthem.
The Stoughton Fire Department also honored Stoughton High Class of 2013 graduate Adam Lurie for his Eagle Scout project, which placed a flag pole at Frederick H. Pye Memorial Park at the intersection of Canton and Central Streets. Pye was a former Chief of the Department.
Take a look at photos from Firefighters Sunday in the media gallery of this article.