For Immediate Release

Friday, Sept. 16, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 781-533-9398
Email: john@jgpr.net

*Media Advisory* Tunnel to Towers Foundation to Visit Stoneham as Part of 100th Anniversary Celebration of Fire Department

STONEHAM — Fire Chief Matthew Grafton and the Stoneham Fire Station Centennial Celebration Committee are pleased to announce that the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation will be bringing the 9/11 NEVER FORGET MOBILE EXHIBIT to town next month.

The memorial is part of a series of events planned for Oct. 1. This year, the Stoneham Fire Department, located at 25 Central St., turns 100 years old! As part of the celebration, there will be antique engines and cars on display, tours of the fire station, a parade, children’s activities and more.

Five new firefighters will be sworn in after the parade. Additionally, a commemorative ceremony at noon will include the reading of the names of deceased firefighters, which will be held at the Stoneham Firefighter Memorial Park.

“We’re extremely excited to celebrate the 100th anniversary of our fire station,” Chief Grafton said. “On top of that, this event will serve as an excellent opportunity to honor our fallen heroes who gave their lives on Sept. 11. We encourage all who can to attend.”

WHERE

The 9/11 NEVER FORGET MOBILE EXHIBIT will be located at Stoneham Town Hall.

The parade begins at the South School, 11 Summer St., and continues for about half a mile down Main Street before ending at the fire department headquarters on Central Street.

Food vendors and a children’s activity area will be on the Town Common following the parade.

WHEN 

Saturday, Oct. 1. The exhibit is free to visit from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A commemorative ceremony will be held at the Stoneham Firefighter Memorial Park at 12 p.m.

WHAT

The Siller Family started the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation to honor the memory of their brother, Stephen, a New York City ­firefighter (FDNY) who lost his life on September 11, 2001 after strapping on his gear and running through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers.

In 2013, the foundation created a mobile exhibit to honor all those who sacrificed their lives on Sept. 11. The 53-foot tractor-trailer, which unfolds into a 1,000 square foot exhibit, serves as a tool to educate the public about all that occurred on that day. Interactive displays, including steel beams from the Twin Towers, documentary videos, recordings of first responder radio transmissions and live tours by FDNY ­firefighters are some of the main features.

“We were offered an amazing opportunity to host this exhibit,” Fire Capt. Jim Marshall said. “We feel that as we celebrate the anniversary of our building, we also recognize that the individuals who inhabit this building – and all fire houses – share a bond and a history of service and sacrifice. This exhibit will serve as a reminder of the challenges we all face every day as we are called to duty.”

The Stoneham Fire Department was represented in New York City during the aftermath of Sept. 11 by Capt. Marshall, Former Chief Joe Rolli, Firefighters Bill Dockery, Scott Greenleaf and Sean Fitzgerald.

As planning for the 100^th Anniversary continues, the Fire Station Centennial Celebration Committee is selling challenge coins and t-shirts to raise money for the event. Look for them at Stoneham Town Day on Sept. 17.

Residents can see pictures of the challenge coins and the t-shirt on Facebook by searching for “Stoneham fire station centennial celebration.” Community members can also visit firenews.org and scroll down to find forms and information about the event and to see pictures of the Stoneham Fire Department over the years.

The Stoneham Fire Station Centennial Celebration Committee would like to thank the individuals and businesses that have sponsored the event and made donations to support the activities planned for the day. These include:  

• General Alarm Sponsor ($2,500): StonehamBank
• Four Alarm Sponsors ($1,250): Action Ambulance, Dr. Mickey & Associates and Stoneham Ford
• Three Alarm Sponsor ($1,000): Arnold House Nursing Home
• Two Alarm Sponsors ($500): Anderson-Bryant Funeral Home, Century 21 C & S Properties, Cassidy Landscaping & Masonry, Pignone’s Café, Salem Five Bank, The Arbors at Stoneham and Weiss Farm, Inc.

A special thanks to Lahey Clinic for its major contribution to bringing the 9/11 NEVER FORGET MOBILE EXHIBIT to Stoneham. 

Those who have questions about the event or who would like to be a sponsor should email stoneham100celebration@yahoo.com.

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