| The Willingboro Fire Department said its final goodbyes to Past Chief Norm Cheeseman with a Fireman's Funeral. The department spent countless hours making all the necessary preparations for this final tribute to a man that helped shape the department.
Members of the department attended both the viewing and the funeral for Norm. They served as an honor guard throughout the entire viewing on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. The honor guard switched every 15 minutes throughout the services. When not serving on the honor guard, the remainder of the department's personnel in attendance spoke with others that attended the viewing and swapped stories about their fond memories of Norm.
On Thursday morning, after a short viewing, a service was held in honor of Norm. Speakers during the service included Chief of Department Anthony Burnett and Past Chief David Andrade. Once the service was over the entire department and firefighters from neighboring departments gave a final salute to Norm before he was placed on Engine 1611 for the procession to the cemetary. The Willingboro Police Department's Color Guard presented the colors for the ceremony.
The procession left the funeral home in Cinnaminson with an escort by the Willingboro Police Department and motorcycles from Willingboro and Burlington City Police Departments. Police departments all along the route assisted with traffic control to allow the procession to travel uninterrupted down Route 130. Once the procession entered Willingboro it proceeded down Charleston Road to Willingboro Fire Department Headquarters.
As the procession proceeded up to the firehouse it crossed underneath an arch with an American Flag hanging from it created by the Evesham and Delran Fire Departments. The front of the firehouse was lined with firefighters from Willingboro, Delran, Burlington Township, Medford, and Pemberton Borough all saluting the procession. A brief ceremony was held at which time Engine 1611 was saluted by Chief Burnett, and Past Chiefs David Andrade and Mark Robertson, along with the ringing of 3 bells from Engine 1621.
The procession then continuted to Odd Fellows Cemetary in Burlington. Once again the roadways were blocked by neighboring police departments and fire police to allow the procession an uninterrupted ride to the cemetary. Upon entering the cemetary the procession passed under another arch and American Flag hanging off ladder trucks from Cinnaminson and Burlington Township. Member's of the department then escorted Engine 1611 to the grave site.
Willingboro Firefighter's removed the casket from Engine 1611 took it to the grave site lead by Chief Burnett and Norm's son Andrew. During the ceremony at the grave site Lieutenant Chris Burnett of the Mount Laurel Fire Department played TAPS on a bugle and a bagpiper from Ocean County Pipes and Drums played Amazing Grace. Members of the department gave a final salute as Chief Burnett presented the American Flag that was draped over Norm's casket to his wife Barbara.
After the service at the cemetary, the department was dismissed and returned to Willingboro Fire Headquarters for a lunch reception. Chief Burnett thanked all of the personnel that assisted with the monumetal task of making the viewing and funeral a success. The department's auxiliary prepared a wonderful meal that was enjoyed by Norm's family, friends, and fire department. |
