THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 29, 1996 TAG: 9603290005
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
On March 18, the Chesapeake Fire Department and the families of Firefighter Specialist Frank E. Young and Firefighter Specialist John R. Hudgins Jr. suffered a devastating loss when these two firefighters perished while fighting a fire.
On behalf of the families of the fallen firefighters and every member of the Chesapeake Fire Department, I express gratitude for support, assistance and caring. The outpouring of help from other area fire departments and from all citizens has been overwhelming. We would not have come through the tragedy without this support.
The Chesapeake Fire Department will continue to provide the highest quality of fire and EMS service and will always remember the ultimate sacrifice firefighters Young and Hudgins made in protecting life and property. We will also always remember that our community stood with us during this most tragic of times.
In spite of the personal loss we feel, it is comforting to know that we live in a caring community that will pull together when times get tough. Chesapeake and all of Hampton Roads is such a community.
MICHAEL L. BOLAC
Fire chief
Chesapeake, March 27, 1996 by CNB