Firefighter Dale Melanson, center, wife Colleen Melanson, left and son Brendan watch as nine engines made their route from Stephens Field, passing by Station 1 before returning to their respective stations. (Photo Courtesy Plymouth Fire Department) 
The third helmet was presented to Firefighter Melanson and his family by Lt. Peter Walsh and his crew on Plymouth Fire E-7. (Photo Courtesy Plymouth Fire Department) 
Firefighter Dale Melanson, center, wife Colleen Melanson, left and son Brendan cheered as nine engines made their route from Stephens Field. (Photo Courtesy Plymouth Fire Department) 
The third helmet was presented to Firefighter Melanson and his family by Lt. Peter Walsh and his crew on Plymouth Fire E-7. (Photo Courtesy Plymouth Fire Department) 
The second helmet was presented to Firefighter Melanson’s Plymouth Fire Station 3 crew with whom he worked for many years. (Photo Courtesy Plymouth Fire Department) 
The first helmet was presented to Plymouth Fire Station 2 with Capt. Monty Gray and his crew receiving the helmet. (Photo Courtesy Plymouth Fire Department) 
The third helmet was presented to Firefighter Melanson and his family by Lt. Peter Walsh and his crew on Plymouth Fire E-7. (Photo Courtesy Plymouth Fire Department) 
Retired Captian Mark Stoddart embraces Firefighter Melanson. (Photo Courtesy Plymouth Fire Department) 
Opening remarks made by Lt. Josh Prada. (Photo Courtesy Plymouth Fire Department) 
Colleen Melanson spoke about what the support has meant to her and her family. (Photo Courtesy Plymouth Fire Department)
PLYMOUTH — Chief Neil Foley is pleased to share that the Plymouth Fire Department, together with the Plymouth Fire Relief Association, hosted a helmet homecoming ceremony on Friday to honor retired Firefighter Dale Melanson and to support his battle against ALS.
On Friday, June 23, friends, family, and fellow Department members gathered to honor Firefighter Melanson for his 18 years of service. Firefighter Melanson was forced to retire in June 2022 after being diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia at age 57. He was subsequently diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a progressive neurodegenerative disease.
In October 2022, the Department initiated the “Pass the Helmet” project with the goal of passing three hand-painted fire helmets to fire stations across Massachusetts in support of Firefighter Melanson’s battle with ALS.
The ceremony began with a procession of fire engines. Firefighter Melanson and his wife Colleen Melanson watched as nine engines made their route from Stephens Field, passing by Station 1 before returning to their respective stations. The final three engines in the procession parked at Station 1 to be part of the ceremony.
A presentation of the helmets followed the procession, with opening remarks made by Lt. Josh Prada.
“The helmets you see here traveled to 75 different towns and firehouses,” said Lt. Prada. “One was airborne on a Black Hawk, while the other laid on the turf of an empty Gillette Stadium.”
“This department is a family,” said Chief Foley. “It was a true privilege to be able to come together, show our support for Dale, and recognize him for his many years of service to the community.”
The first helmet was presented to Plymouth Fire Station 2 with Capt. Monty Gray and his crew receiving the helmet. The second helmet was presented to Firefighter Melanson’s Plymouth Fire Station 3 crew, with whom he worked for many years. The helmet to Station 3 was presented by Capt. Mark Stoddart (Ret.) and Firefighter Eric Anthrop. The third helmet then was presented to Firefighter Melanson and his family by Lt. Peter Walsh and his crew on Plymouth Fire E-7.
“We’re extremely grateful and blessed. It’s not just today but each and every day,” said Colleen Melanson. “Every single day somebody reaches out and touches our lives. It’s only because it’s the kind of person my husband is. Amazing, incredibly strong, compassionate, kind.”
About the Pass the Helmet Project
On Oct. 21, 2022, the first helmet, heading north, was first passed to Kingston Fire Department. A few days later, the second helmet, heading south, was passed to Bourne Fire Department.
The third helmet, the “special ops helmet,” was sent on a unique journey through the City of Boston, stopping at various firehouses, Gillette Stadium, and riding in a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter in honor of Firefighter Melanson’s military service.
When the helmets arrived at each department, they contained Firefighter Melanson’s story with a task attached — sign and take a photo with the helmet, post the photo on Facebook, make a donation, and bring the helmet to a neighboring Department.
Funds raised from the Pass the Helmet project helped support Firefighter Melanson and his battle with ALS.
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