Pocono News Section

Memorial Service Held for Ice Rescue Heroes

Memorial Service Held for Ice Rescue Heroes - Sunday, March 1, 2009 at 6:41PM EST

SCOTT TWP., LACKAWANNA COUNTY- Hundreds attended an emotional memorial service Sunday for two men who died while rescuing a little girl and her mother from an icy pond.
It was a solemn sight. Hundreds of firefighters, family and friends filled the Scott Township Hose Company Sunday to honor two heroes.

Willard Van Fleet Jr. and Mark Keene died last weekend saving two people during an ice rescue. Bill White of the Scott Township Hose Company said, “This is probably one of the most difficult things that I've ever had to do."

The radio call announcing the two deaths was played at Sunday's memorial service. While in the front of the room an empty fire suit symbolized the loss this community now shares. “They were heroes in my book before they ever did this. Just the things that they have done all their lives," he said.

Both men died as they saved a 5-year-old girl and her mother from a frozen pond in North Abington Township. They could not save themselves though. Mark Keene suffered a heart attack. He was a 28-year member of the hose company.

His step-son, Willard Van Fleet was a former member, but had helped out since he was a small child. Some say the word "hero" isn't big enough. “In my book, the biggest heroes you can have. They went and gave their lives to save someone else's life. The ultimate sacrifice – that’s the type of people they were," added White.

The community will not soon forget these two men, nor will they forget their brave actions.

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