Helmet decals list names
HARMONY — Four fallen firefighters are being honored further by their fellow firefighters.
The Harmony Fire District has received memorial helmet decals with the names of firefighters Samuel Bucci, Trevor Barkley and Elijah Lunsford and Harmony Volunteer Fire Company assistant chief Doug Pickett Jr.
The stickers also say “Never forget” along with the station’s number — 22.
“One of the most important things we can do is remember our own,” Chief Scott Garing said. “We have a responsibility for what they’ve done for us to honor them in some fashion.”
Bucci, Barkley and Lunsford were Seneca Valley High School seniors who drowned in 2010 when their SUV plunged into an icy lake outside of Zelienople on their way to the fire station.
Barkley was an honorary member of the fire department and was reportedly going to give the department an application for membership that night.
Tuesday was the anniversary of the tragedy.
Garing described the three as “motivated” and “excited.”
“We hear people say all the time that they were truly good-hearted, good-willed people and models of what kids should be,” he said.
Pickett died unexpectedly in April 2012. He was 46.
Garing said he was kind to everyone.
“The fire department lost a great asset and a true friend on that day,” he said.
Garing said the idea for the stickers came from Lt. Josh Rader. The fire department approved it.
“They participated every day. We thought it would be the best way to remember them,” Garing said.
The stickers will be displayed on the helmets as long as the helmets are intact.
The community has helped memorialize the fallen heroes with the Brotherhood Memorial Ride, which has become an annual tradition. Money from the ride goes to emergency personnel in need.
“It’s our way of giving back to the community,” Garing said. “It’s always a fantastic event.”
The initiative for the planned memorial skate park in the Zelienople Community Park also comes from the Bucci, Barkley and Lunsford tragedy.
The fire district serves Harmony, Jackson Township, Lancaster Township and Zelienople.
