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The 2000 season will mark the
fifth anniversary of the unveiling of the marble firemen's memorial
plaque at Sam Bryen Fields, dedicated to three Pittsburgh area
firefighters who had passed away tragically on Valentine's Day, 1995.
That solemn occasion also marked the opening of the new
concession stand and handicapped accessible restroom
facilities, built
during the offseason.
The year 2000 will also mark the
occasion of the dedication of the concession stand itself to another fallen
soul, Anthony Bucci, who was taken from us on Mother's Day,
1999. Anthony was only ten years old and a member of our Brookline
baseball program. A memorial plaque will be mounted on the building,
near the location of the firemen's memorial, prior to the beginning of
the season.
Below is the article from the
Brookline News and accompanying photos detailing the 1995 opening day
ceremony. May the memory of Marc, Thomas, Patricia and young Anthony, as
well as all of our other departed friends that appear on the pages of
this Brookline website, live on in our hearts and minds.
Brookline
Little League Opening Ceremony
Dedicated To Three Pittsburgh Heroes.
On Sunday, April 30, the Brookline
Little League completed construction and officially opened the new
concession stand and handicapped restrooms at Sam Bryen Baseball/Softball
Fields. State Representative Frank Gigliotti, Councilman Joe Cusick and
Project Coordinator Stan Scalise cut the ribbon to officially open the
ceremonies.
The opening ceremony was dedicated
to the memory of the Pittsburgh firemen who gave their lives in the line
of duty this past Valentine's Day. The idea of dedicating a plaque on the
concession stand was suggested because the Brookline Little League
received the final building permits on the day of the
fire.
Pittsburgh Fire Chief Dickerson
and Battalion Chief Kolenda, whose son Marc was killed in the blaze, were
on hand along with other family members and fellow firemen to honor the
fallen fire fighters. The plaque lists Marc Kolenda of Bon Air, Captain
Thomas Brooks of Polish Hill, and Patricia Conroy of
Oakland.
Some two hundred people were on
hand for this ceremony during which a Pittsburgh fire fighter played taps
on his harmonica, leaving no eye without a tear.
Project Coordinator and Brookline
Little League Vice-President Stan Scalise would like to give special
recognition to Councilman Joe Cusick for helping to find the namy
contributors and contractors willing to lend a hand. Councilman Cusick
and State Representative Gigliotti have both pledged grant monies to help
defray costs. Mr. Scalise also recognized the parent volunteers who took
this project so seriously and are honored on another plaque, located on
an adjacent wall to the firemen's plaque.
Scalise commented that this
project would not have gone anywhere without the support of both local
and regional donors who gave time, labor and supplies. The cost of the
construction for this concession stand and restrooms was originally
estimated to be about $15,000, but thanks to the hard work and support of
so many the project costs were cut drastically.
Although Memorial Day is on May
29, this ceremony could be deemed Memorial Day at Brookline Field, as
firemen who gave the ultimate contribution and volunteers, who have given
their time and hard work so that things would be a little better for
Brookline kids were both recognized and honored. It is fitting that the
skies were gray, but the rain did not hinder the ceremony.
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Reprinted from the Brookline News, May 1995 * |
