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Friday, March 29, 2024

Wynn ceremony debuts fire dept. honor guard

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On the 35th anniversary of the death of a fallen comrade, the Wrightsville Beach Fire Department will debut its newly formed honor guard for a march into Wynn Plaza to remember his sacrifice as the sole Wrightsville Beach firefighter to die in the line of duty.

The memorial service for Lt. Robert Wynn is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6, where the Wrightsville Beach Fire Department Honor Guard will make its first appearance during a march from Latimer Street to Wynn Plaza, the public park at Causeway Drive and Waynick Boulevard that is dedicated to the firefighter. The guard will be led by a Wilmington Police Department bagpiper.

While the town’s fire department has always held internal events to recognize the Doak Apartment fire of Dec. 6, 1981, which took the life of volunteer firefighter Lt. Robert Wynn, Wrightsville Beach Fire Chief Glen Rogers said members of the department wanted to find a way to get the community more involved.

“We wanted to make it into a memorial day for the people that serve the town,” Rogers said, adding that he believes it will become an annual event. “Lt. Wynn is our own local fallen hero. He laid down his life protecting the people of the town from fire.”

Rogers said the honor guard formed after several members of the department saw similar departments’ guards at a May memorial for fallen firefighters in Raleigh. Members of the honor guard include Capt. Dan Reid, Capt. Matt Holland, Lt. Kenny Turner, a volunteer who also works in the town’s public works department, volunteer Tom Long and intern Tom Hardy.

Community members are invited to attend the ceremony, which will include a plaque dedication, wreath presentation and fire service salute followed by a public presentation about the Doak Fire. Retired Fire Chief Everett Ward will give the presentation at South Beach Grill accompanied by complimentary refreshments. The event will end at 6 p.m.

At the time of Wynn’s death, Chief Ward served alongside him as a volunteer firefighter before becoming a paid employee in 1984.  Ward was involved in the establishment of the plaza, which was dedicated in 1983, by suggesting its current location.

Intern Elly Colwell contributed to this story.

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