July 15, 2024: Firefighter Kyle Conard (left), of Riverside Fire Co. No. 1, and firefighter Andrew Lloyd, of Beverly Fire Co. No. 1, take down a large American flag from a ladder arch along Bridgeboro Street, near Route 130 in Delran, N.J. on TuesdayRead moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
It was hard to miss as I turned off the highway on my way to an assignment in New Jersey last week. I recognized the ladder arch immediately as the ceremonial structure used by firefighters to honor and pay tribute to their fallen comrades.
I started to pull over to ask the men at the apparatus how much time until the funeral procession would be passing under the large flag when I saw the flashing lights down the road and answered my own question.
Making a quick U-Turn, a doubled back and pulled over near where I first spotted the ladders and flag.
Fortunately I was early to my assignment so I was able to get back to the ladder company firefighters to get their names, and find out who they were honoring. Firefighter McCurdy, who passed away on June 29th, was a life member of the Delran Fire Co. No.1 Bridgeboro. He joined the company in 1945 when he was 16, and served a number of positions - including fire chief - during his 80 years of service.
The ladder arch is designed to give the proper respect upon the passing of local heroes who put their lives at risk daily for the public. The tradition also symbolizes respect, bravery, and solidarity within the firefighting community, and reflects the esteem in which fallen firefighters are held by their peers.
Since 1998, a black-and-white photo has appeared every Monday in staff photographer Tom Gralish’s “Scene Through the Lens” photo column in The Inquirer’s local news section. Here are the most recent, in color:
July 8, 2024: Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Dawn Staley (left) leave the stage behind Independence Hall after the presentation of the Mayor’s “One Philly Award” to the three-time NCAA women’s basketball champion head coach and North Philadelphia native, during a Fourth of July “Celebration of Freedom” event. Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
July 1, 2024: The Historic District’s biggest flag (at the U.S. Courthouse at 6th and Market Streets, a block from Independence Hall) as we head into the week celebrating America’s 248th birthday. Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
June 24, 2024: Following graduation ceremonies last week for the Philadelphia Police Academy Class No. 402, Commissioner Kevin Bethel remained on stage posing with any new officer who wanted a photo. As (slightly taller) graduate Julio Rodriguez-Perez stepped up, Bethel jokingly climbed on a chair.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
June 17, 2024: “God Bless America” (American Gothic) by sculptor J. Seward Johnson (1930-2020) on Klockner Road, near the Hamilton train station, along the way to nearby Grounds for Sculpture, the park he founded in 1992 on the site of the old New Jersey FairgroundRead moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
June 10, 2024: Shadows in North Wildwood signal the start of summer at the Shore.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
June 3, 2024: Abdelraham Shalan strikes the “Rocky” pose at the top of the steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Better known in the Sumo World as Oosunaarashi, which roughly translates to “The Great Sandstorm” in Japanese, he will compete in the International Sumo League World Championship Atlantic City June 15.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
May 27, 2024: Jim Beyer, of Washington Township, N.J. conducts the Philadelphia Brigade Band during the traditional Decoration Day service at Laurel Hill Cemetery, site of the first observance in Philadelphia, in 1868 to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the Civil War. What is now known as Memorial Day became a national holiday in 1971. Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
May 20, 2024: A plane taking off from Philadelphia International Airport flys over a turret of three 16-inch/50-caliber Mark 7 guns on the fore deck of the Battleship New Jersey, currently berthed in Dock #3 in dry dock at the Navy Yard (the same dock it was launched from on Dec. 7, 1942). Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
May 13, 2024: Sloan, 2, and Sylvie, 3 months, wait while their parents, Sara Tice and Shane Shoemaker of Kensington, who were close by, shop for spring flowers and garden supplies in Cherry Hill.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
May 6, 2024: Shoppers “donate” other objects besides coins in a fountain at the Cherry Hill Mall, leaving maintenance workers to clean up after them (the coins go to charity). Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
April 29. 2024: While not as common a sight on rooftops as turkey vultures, Canada geese do show up on top of homes during nesting season - as this pair in Haddonfield. Wildlife experts say laying eggs on roofs is unusual, but a way to avoid predators. Baby Canada geese have been seen jumping from high buildings and surviving, because their body mass is so light, they often just bounce.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
April 22, 2034: The city girls’ team is introduced in the first half of a double header at the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council’s 37th annual All-Star Labor Classic, a high school basketball showcase that featured some of the city’s and suburbs’ top boys’ and girls’ players at Holy Family University. Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
April 15, 2024: There was plenty of room under the Franklin Institutes’s specially designed viewing tents after the crowds left when the partial solar eclipse reached maximum coverage - and the clouds thickened.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
April 8, 2024: The tulips, hyacinth — and picture takers — are in full bloom and out in Dilworth Park at City Hall. Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
April 1, 2024: April showers bring May flowers. And abandoned umbrellas — this one seemingly floating in the street in Old City.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
