BOSTON — Fallen Peabody firefighter James Rice was remembered last night prior to Gov. Deval Patrick's state of the state address to the Legislature on Beacon Hill.
"It was a moving moment," said state Rep. Ted Speliotis, D-Danvers, who attended and noted that it came on the 43rd anniversary of Rice's birth.
Lt. Gov. Tim Murray cited Rice, who died while battling a blaze on Hancock Street in Peabody just two days before Christmas. He also included Worcester firefighter Jon Davies, who died attempting a rescue in the midst of a blaze in that city in December.
Peabody fire Chief Steve Pasdon led the Pledge of Allegiance, accompanied by Worcester Deputy fire Chief Geoffrey Gardell.
A moment of silence followed.
"It was quite appropriate to be done," Speliotis said. The Rice family was unable to attend, Speliotis said.
Rice had been remembered previously prior to a Patriots playoff game.
Winning a direct reference and a salute from Patrick in his speech was Beverly state Rep. Jerry Parisella, along with state Sen. Mike Rush from Boston.
"Both have returned from combat duty in Iraq," Patrick said.
Parisella served in the U.S. Army Reserve, Rush in the Navy Reserve.
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