Manitouwadge Fire Department Commemorates 9-11
MANITOUWADGE, ON – The Manitouwadge Volunteer Fire Department hosted a 20th Anniversary Commemoration of 9/11 this past Saturday, in front of the Fire Hall. In addition to the firefighters, first responders in attendance included officers from the Ontario Provincial Police and paramedics from Superior North EMS these in addition to township dignitaries and residents.
Included in the opening was the playing of both the Canadian and American national anthems, introductory remarks from Fire Chief Owen Cranney and Mayor John MacEachern as well as a moment of silence in remembrance of the 2977 people, including 412 first responders, lost to the tragedy and the many people whose lives are forever changed by the events of that day.
The Fire Chief shared his memories of the day. Details of how the American flag raised on the Fire Department’s pumper had also been flown at the fire hall September 11, 2001, and the significant meaning, he later learned, this had on a New York Fire Captain who happened to be in Manitouwadge on that day. Though the Captain had not stopped in at the fire hall he had later sent a New York City Fire Department ball cap to Cranney with a letter explaining how much what he had seen at the Manitouwadge fire hall had moved him. Next, Cranney introduced Bethany Pentecostal Pastor Peter Ruel who addressed those in attendance before sharing a prayer.
Following the ceremony, the Fire Chief noted how long it had been since the Fire Department had the opportunity to host the community at the fire hall explaining that because of this, recognition of significant contributions by Manitouwadge’s volunteer firefighters was overdue. The Chief took the opportunity to recognize the contributions of several firefighters with Years of Service pins (though as noted those being acknowledged have now been with the department for 2 additional years) including:
- Firefighter Vital Morin 5 years of service,
- Firefighter Ray Gascon 10 years of service,
- Firefighter Randy Barnes 25 years of service,
- Deputy Fire Chief Denis Narbonne 25 years of service,
Firefighter Randy Barnes receives 25yrs of service pin. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com 2021 
Firefighter Ray Gascon receives 10yrs of service pin. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com 2021 
Firefighter Vital Morin receives 5yrs of service pin. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com 2021 
Deputy Fire Chief Denis Narbonne receives 25yrs of service pin. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com 2021
The Fire Chief was quite emotional acknowledging the significant contributions of these, and all the firefighters, serving at the Manitouwadge Volunteer Fire Department in part due to what he announced next. Cranney took the opportunity to announce, that after nearly 35 years of service at the department and more than 25 years as Fire Chief of the Manitouwadge Volunteer Fire Department, he will be retiring following his vacation which begins after his last day at the office September 21, 2021.
