Hero Laid to Rest

**george7** · 14th July 09, 06:53 AM

We laid a hero to rest yesterday.

Vincent McCarthy has passed away.

Vince was a three-time wounded veteran of WW2.

He also survived having the ship he was on torpedoed out from under him.

He returned home and became one of the most decorated firemen in the history of the Fire Dept.of New York City.

When Vince retired to Palm Bay, FL, he couldn't stay away from the firehouse. He spent the last eight years going to firehouses having lunch with the fire fighters. Bob, one of the firefighters and a piper, promised him he'd play for his funeral well in advance. Bob did one better, he called up his piping and drumming friends. Five pipers, a snare drummer and a bass drummer played Minstrel Boy as they moved the coffin into the church and played Amazing Grace as they loaded the coffin back into the Hurst.

A wake followed at Meg O' Malley's where I got to hear everybody's favorite Vince stories.

We played pipes one more time, had the whole pub raise their glasses for Amazing Grace, then exited to a quick march.

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We wore Class A Uniforms to the Funeral, but no pictures were taken.

Here are the two pipers at the wake. I'm in the Camouflage kilt.

**JolyStNicholas** · 14th July 09, 07:01 AM

Well done George, you and your fellows did your self proud remembering your friend and fellow firefighter, and war hero as you did. Again well done laddie!

**Galician** · 14th July 09, 07:11 AM

Thanks for that service, George. It appears that Fireman McCarthy received an award in December, 1947, which was presented by the Little Flower himself, Mayor Fiorello Laguardia. RIP.