Hundreds Attend Captain Long’s Visitation

“It’s pretty moving the moving part about it is if you put yourself in that casket how would you like to be represented and this is how it is.” said Christopher Cangemi.

Fire engines and emergency responders from all over North Carolina joined the procession carrying Captain Bradley Long to Mountain View Baptist Church in Maiden.

“They’ve been calling asking us what can we do can we back fill a fire station so everybody can go to the funeral and those folks are coming all the way past Asheville through Greensboro.” said Karen Yaussey of the Catawba Co. Emergency Services.

Captain Long’s casket rode in his truck, Newton Fire Engine 2.

Long also worked as a volunteer firefighter for Sherills Ford-Terrell Fire and Rescue which is where he was working Monday when he died trying to rescue a missing swimmer.

Today’s procession and viewing is to remember his sacrifice.

“The meaning behind is never forgetting what people do everyday such as myself as a fireman and other firemen why we go in why we try to save people why we do the best ability we can”

After a four hour long viewing for family and emergency responders captain long will lay in state inside the church overnight with honor guard watching over him.

“Every 15 minutes there will be a changing of guard from a different fire department from a different organization throughout the state.”

Firefighters say they the best way the public can honor Captain Long is to thanks all other emergency responders who everyday also put their lives on the line

“It’s about jumping on the trucks because we want to help people we don’t even know it’s a big part of our lives and I guarantee any police officer fire man or anybody who has to deal with helping people would say the same thing “