In full dress uniform, more than 100 Tamaqua firefighters marched in silence Sunday evening en route to pay tribute to 12 departed members.

The 87th Annual Tamaqua Volunteer Firemen's Association Memorial Service was hosted by First United Methodist Church, 124 W. Broad St.

The gathering of the Tamaqua Fire Department, always a deeply emotional event, honors caring devotion of departed souls from the past 12 months.

"We will never forget" declared a sign posted in front of East End Fire Company, where members lament the loss of Raymond Bonetsky Sr. and Joseph A. Barnisky, both of whom passed since last Memorial Day.

South Ward Fire Company lost three members in that same timeframe: Vern J. Balliet, Charles T. Edmonds and Michael Zupko Jr.

Citizens Fire Company lost no members over the past year, but another company, American Hose, was especially hard hit, losing seven:

Ronald Clemson, Charles R. Donahue, William H. Fegley Sr., William Johnson, Edward R. Rummel, Daniel L. Smith and Keith M. Oliphant.

The Rev. Susan Daniels welcomed the contingent, who joined together in the Fireman's Prayer, pledging undying service: "I want to fill my calling and to give the best in, to guard my every neighbor and protect his property. And if according to my fate I am to lose my life, please bless with your protecting hand my family and my wife."

The closing hymn was "God Be With You Till We Meet Again."