COAL TOWNSHIP - A large turnout of police, firefighters and family are expected at Sunday's ceremony marking the tenth anniversary of the death of former state policeman and Maine Fire Company volunteer Timothy A. Diorio.
The event will go on rain or shine, said organizers John and Sandra Schenewerk. A large tent will be erected should the forecasted rainy weather be here by that time.
The ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. at the Diorio memorial on Arch Street, but those attending are also welcome to witness the march by Maine Fire Company members from their station a few blocks away to the memorial. That starts at 12:45 p.m. and will include the company's fire engine and specialty truck. A drummer will provide a single-beat cadence, similar to what was done for this past year's Memorial Day march in Shamokin and Coal Township.
The march to the memorial is a tradition for the Maine, as is the ceremony itself, but it's usually private.
This year, to recognize the tenth anniversary of their fallen comrade's death, which occurred in the overnight hours of Nov. 1, 2002, in Trevorton, it has been expanded to include all local fire company, ambulance and police departments, including those people involved the night of his death and the public.
A state police trooper who served with Diorio and his widow and other family members are among those expected to take part. A bagpiper, Shamokin native and Frackville resident Seth Lowe, will play at the memorial.
The family has stressed that they want the ceremony to be a celebration of Diorio's life.
John Schenewerk said a secondary theme is "How has Timmy affected others." He noted how every member of Maine Fire Company completed at least Firefighter 1 certification as their way of honoring Diorio since his death. He was the first member of the organization to have completed the training, which is offered by the National Fire Protection Association. It speaks to the commitment he had to training and safety, Schenewerk said, and Firefighter 1 is now "a must" for all Maine members.
Overflow parking for the event will be in the Susquehanna Bank parking lot next to Turkey Hill on Second Street.