Fallen firefighters honored outside Philadelphia City Hall

What was going to be a memorial marking one year since two Philadelphia Firefighters who lost their lives on the job became even larger today.

Dozens of firefighers and their families attended the service outside City Hall, marking the lives of Lt. Robert Neary, and Firefighter Daniel Sweeney who died a year ago as well as Capt. Michael Goodwin who was killed battling a blaze Saturday.

Firefighters Union Head Bill Gault says his members never forget the families of their brothers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“We stick with our widows forever, we take care of them forever,” said Gault of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 22. “We count them as our family and we take care of them forever.”

Lt. Neary’s widow Diane says it’s time for Philadelphia to support the firefighters, especially those who are just joining the ranks.

“We have all young men now who are coming out they are afraid, they are scared they don’t want to die I don’t want them to die, you don’t want them to die,” said Neary. “If they die or they are afraid, your family is going to die.”

Also on hand were the widow and son of Capt. Goodwin. They cried as a bagpiper played “Amazing Grace.”

A memorial service for him is slated for noon Thursday at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 2139 E. Cumberland Street in Fishtown. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Roslyn, Pa.