They walked in pairs, their line stretching nearly a block.

Their crisp dress uniforms and spotless white gloves were in sharp contrast to the battered turnout gear and boots they wear when they respond to a community emergency. Sunday evening, members of Tamaqua's volunteer fire companies marched through town on their way to the annual Volunteer Fireman's Relief Association Memorial Service, held this year at St. John United Church of Christ."We give thanks to those among us who serve you, as well as serve their family and friends," the Rev. Kevin Duffy-Guy said during the service. "We honor those who find a way to make the world a better place, and we are grateful to those who serve."The service included a roll call of deceased members: from the South Ward, John A. "Blinky" Plasko, Harold Bachert, Thomas P. Porambo and Edward Shopple; from Citizen's, Harry Heffelfinger and Joseph T. Hollister Sr.; from East End, Alan R. Kerr and Lewis Smith; and from American Hose, George Millet.