Hath's Heroes Hosts Frederick Fire Dept to Honor Battalion Chief Laird

Random Acts in the W is a community-focused campaign developed to give back to Caps fans surrounding the everyday moments in which individuals may need their spirits lifted.

Frederick County Fire Department Battalion Chief Josh Laird was known for his sense of humor, encouraging nature and involvement with the community.
In August, Laird, a 21-year veteran of the fire department, sadly lost his life in the line of duty.
"Josh Laird was many things to many people," Division Director and Chief of the Frederick County Division of Fire & Rescue Services, Thomas Coe, said.
"He was a decorated firefighter with nearly three decades of service to the citizens in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Above all those things one thing that stands out is Josh's love of his family and friends."
Although Laird only briefly dabbled in hockey himself, he was a huge supporter of the fire department's ice hockey team and proudly wore their jersey everywhere, so the station held a hockey game in his namesake.

Upon learning of Battalion Chief Laird and the memorial hockey game, the Capitals donated a team-signed jersey to help raise money for their auction.
Capitals forward Garnet Hathaway then also heard of the story and decided he wanted to do something special for Laird's shift and family.
"Garnet Hathaway's continued commitment to public safety agencies in the Washington metro region means a lot to our first responders," Coe said.
Hathaway, whose player program Hath's Heroes focuses on efforts to help first responders, decided to invite the group to a game.
"It was really important to us to honor the passing of Battalion Chief Josh Laird," said Hathaway. "His story should be honored and shared. He gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting his neighbors."
About 40 firefighters from the Frederick County Fire Department joined the Laird family at the Capitals game Wednesday night as a guest of Hath's Heroes to honor their fallen father, friend, husband, and mentor.
"Having Garnet Hathaway and the Capitals host our family and the Frederick Fire Department was an amazing experience," said Josh's wife, Sara. "We are all grieving and being able to spend time together is what feels the best."
"Supporting our local first responders and their families was a main reason we founded Hath's Heroes and we're so grateful to the community for their support in hosting the Laird family and his shift," Hathaway said.
The group was presented with a custom No. 21 'W' Laird team-signed jersey and will be kept in the Laird family's home.

"The fact that Garnet and the Capitals would even be aware of our loss speaks volumes about their humanity and to support us in such a big way is evidence of the compassion and commitment to the community at large," Sara said.
During warmups, Hathaway located Battalion Chief Laird's daughters and delivered a signed stick over the glass.

It was their first NHL game and one they will surely always remember.
"Josh was a huge sports fan, I think what he would have enjoyed the most about the game would have been seeing our daughters experience their first NHL game and making a lot of noise," Sara said.
What Josh's loved ones will remember most about him is being an amazing dad, loving husband, and all-around good human being with a relentless work ethic.
Thank you to Battalion Chief Laird for his 21-year commitment to the Frederick community.