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23rd Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service

Members of Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Recue (above) joined firefighters from across the state on Sunday, September 28, for the 23rd Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. The ceremony was conducted at the state’s memorial in front of Connecticut Fire Academy in Windsor Locks.

The names of five men who died in the line of duty were added to the memorial this year, including two from Newtown: Botsford Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Pete Blomberg and Hawleyville Vice President and Firefighter Lewis Durgy.

Sandy Hook firefighters were honored to present the colors at the event.

Members of Dodgingtown Fire also attended the ceremony.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue presented the colors during the 23rd Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

Relatives of the late Botsford Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Pete Blomberg and Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company Firefighter Lewis Durgy are surrounded by Newtown volunteer firefighters at the Connecticut Fallen Firefighters Memorial on September 28.

Members of Botsford, Dodgingtown, Hawleyville and Sandy Hook volunteer fire companies all attended The 23rd Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

Sandy Hook VFR members also paid their respects to the late Chief Bill Halstead, whose name was added to the state memorial in September 2022.

Read more here: Newtown Firefighters Among Those To Be Memorialized This Weekend (The Newtown Bee)

and here: Two Newtown Firefighters Among Five Men Memorialized During Annual Ceremony (The Newtown Bee)

Four Trophies From State Convention (Sunday, September 14, 2025)

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue won four trophies following the 142nd Firefighters Convention Parade in Orange.

Firefighters earned Best Appearing in Coats, Best Appearing Color Guard and Most Firefighters in Line.

Our Ladies Auxiliary won Best Appearing Ladies Auxiliary-Runner Up.

Congratulations to Middlebury Volunteer FD, who won Best Overall.

Best Overall In Thomaston

Sandy Hook VFR and its Ladies Auxiliary went 3-for-3 with another CT Parade Marshals Association win on August 2, this time picking up Best Overall at Thomaston Volunteer FD Carnivla’s parade.

Training: Rope Rescue

Members spent the evening of Monday, July 28, learning rope rescue techniques with Tim from Mission CIT.

Second Parade, Second Big Win Of The Season

Chief Capozziello, Deputy Chief Ryan Clark with his son, and Vice President Matt Dobson hold the Best Overall trophy following the Tunxis Hose Company Parade, July 12. Sandy Hook returned home with that trophy, the ladies won Best Ladies Auxiliary, and the company also received the honor for Traveling the Longest Distance.

Chief Capozziello and Junior Corps member Charlie Jeltema with the night’s big trophy.

LobsterFest 2025 in the books

Despite two days of challenging weather, LobsterFest 2025 is in the books. We thank everyone who joined us during Friday’s heat and/or Saturday’s rain.

Mark your calendars now: next year’s LobsterFest will be Friday and Saturday, June 5-6, 2026.