[PHOTO OF TRAGIC NEWS REPORT FROM 1976] This evening, the two Lakewood Firefighters who gave their lives while trying to save the lives of others, will be recognized and honored by the Township, as earlier reported on TLS.
The meeting, which will be taking place at the Township Auditorium, will feature a bagpiper, the honor guard and the unveiling of memorial plaques with for the two men. The plaques will be placed near those of the fallen Lakewood Police Officers, on the Memorial Wall in the Township lobby.
PBA President Gary Przewoznik, who brought the idea to Fire Chief Rodney Youmans, said the fallen men deserve the same honor the fallen men in blue got.
“After we got Chris’s plaque, I decided that since we also lost 2 firemen in town, we should also honor them in the same manner”, says PBA President Gary Przewoznik. “I knew there was already a monument in Pine Park dedicated to them, but since the Municipal Building is where all business is handled and most of the public is always there, this would be a more fitting place to honor those men that also gave the ultimate sacrifice to our community”, Gary said. “So I brought the idea to Chief Youmans and he presented it to the Fire Commissioners who also thought it was a great idea.”
On December 23, 1976, Stanley Marks and Alex Latyshev of Junior Hose Company No. 3 responded to a working fire at the Hotel Allaben on Monmouth Avenue, and shortly after they entered the burning building, a flash-over occurred, trapping them inside.
Firefighter Stanley Marks’ body was found the next morning on the first floor just below the area of flash-over, according to Lakewood Fire Department’s Historian Richard Errickson. Marks had fallen through the burned away floor above.
Firefighter Latyshev was able to get to a small second floor window and was pulled down a ladder to safety. He was rushed to the hospital, but succumbed to his burns several weeks later.
A firefighter memorial was constructed in Pine Park in 1988, and every October a department firefighter service is held in their memory.
The event is scheduled to take place at 7 PM. All are invited to attend. TLS.
To all members of the Lakewood community, let us all show our appreciation and support for the firefighters of this town by attending this important event!
RIP & Protect those that protect & serve us everyday <3
What a Great thing the FD and the PBA are doing to honer the fallen Firefighters that gave all they had to help the Lakewood Comunity.
Today over 35 years later the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Dept is still out there saveing lives and protecting the town.
We dont get paid nor do we recive any benifits for the time we give to the town.
We are actively recruiting More members. To become a member vist our website and fill out an application.
http://www.lakewoodnjvolunteerfd.org
Thank you.