Of all the words offered yesterday to honor the heroism of two fallen Pittsburgh firefighters at an overflowing funeral Mass, the most compelling came from a pale, slender 23-year-old who had not even planned to speak.

John Beale, Post-Gazette Hundreds of firefighters salute the caskets of city firefighters Charles G. Brace and Richard Stefanakis as they are carried from St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland after yesterday's funeral Mass. Click photo for larger image. Additional photos See today's Photo Journal

Daniel Brace shared memories of his father, Battalion Chief Charles Brace, 55, who died Saturday alongside Master Firefighter Richard Stefanakis, 51, when a bell tower collapsed after a fire destroyed historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in the Hill District.

Recalling a treasured fire helmet that his father gave him for his sixth birthday, Brace told of his childhood dream to follow in his father's footsteps.

"As you know, Dad, I didn't become a fireman, but I was always so proud that you were," he said through his tears.

Continuing to address his father, Brace said that death came "because you had more love to give than this world had room to put it. ... I love you, Daddy. Good-bye for now."

His anguished words were carried outside by loudspeaker, where hundreds of rapt firefighters who could not fit inside St. Paul Cathedral lined Fifth Avenue in Oakland.

Their day began at Heinz Field, where scores of gleaming fire vehicles from Arnold to Zelienople queued up along North Shore Drive.

"We are honoring the dead," said Bethel Park volunteer firefighter David J. Henney, who also is a funeral director. "You hope that it does something for the families, knowing that there are people you don't even know who care about you."

When the procession had reached the cathedral, three columns of emergency vehicles stretched along Fifth Avenue from Craig Street to Negley Avenue.

The display was surpassed by the pageantry of several hundred firefighters marching from Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall to the cathedral.

Kilted bagpipers led an honor guard of Pittsburgh firefighters in double-breasted Navy blue uniforms. Local paramedics and firefighters from across the United States and Canada followed.

"We received a tremendous amount of support from not only Pittsburgh, but the entire country," New York City Deputy Chief Nick Visconti said outside Soldiers & Sailors, referring to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. "It's a terrible tragedy in the fire service when you lose someone. You need to show it's not a one-way street."

As the procession moved toward St. Paul along Fifth Avenue, it passed beneath the crossed ladders of aerial trucks from Engine Company 24, where Brace kept his gear, and Engine Company 4, which sent some of the first responders to the church fire.

Lining up eight-deep on the church steps, the firefighters awaited the grieving families. They arrived in silver limousines shortly before noon, preceded by police motorcycles and firetrucks from Engine companies 24 and 3, where Stefanakis worked.

About 1,800 people filled the cathedral for a Mass entwined with firefighters' traditions. Behind the communion rail were easels mounted with photographs of the fallen firefighters: Brace grinning broadly, eyes alight, and Stefanakis, hard at work, his gaze intent on some unseen action. Beneath the pictures the men's gear -- coveralls, coats and helmets -- were folded and stacked atop their boots.

John Beale, Post-Gazette Bishop Donald Wuerl speaks during yesterday's funeral Mass for firefighters Richard Stefanakis, left, and Charles G. Brace. Click photo for larger image.

Some seats were filled with dignitaries: Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy, who, in a quavering voice, eulogized the firefighters as "public servants of the highest caliber."

Several pews were reserved for members of Ebenezer Baptist.

"It's important to me to be here because I want to show my support for the firemen's families and to let them know that our hearts and our prayers are with them," said Jeanette Green, a retiree from Stanton Heights who has been a member of Ebenezer Baptist since 1988.

City firefighter Jay Goodman stood nearby in his dress uniform as he had nine years ago when three other colleagues perished and also were buried from St. Paul Cathedral. After several sleepless nights following Saturday's fire, he retired from his 30-year-career.

"I don't want to put my family through this any more," Goodman said. "We enjoy our job so much, we don't think of the families."

The first sounds of the funeral were unscripted, as the cathedral sound system inadvertently carried Catholic Bishop Donald Wuerl's whispered words of comfort to a sobbing relative of one of the firefighters.

As they made their way down the aisle, the pallbearers strained to carry the wooden caskets, as if they were weighed down by grief. The caskets were draped in white and Wuerl sprinkled them with holy water.

In his homily, Wuerl hailed Brace and Stefanakis as heroes for the quiet dedication that led them daily into places most people run from. As a gospel text the families had chosen a passage from John 17: "No one has greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends."

"There is no such thing as a safe fire, but someone has to go. And only those with quiet courage, relentless commitment and conviction in the value of what they are doing have the courage to respond. Charlie and Rick had that quality," Wuerl said.

In remembrances, firefighter Timothy Daly eulogized his friend Stefanakis as "the man to be with" in dangerous places.

"I can't remember how many times he picked me up," he said.

The fatal Bricelyn Street fire of 1995 was on the minds of several speakers.

"This is not the first time we have experienced this, but we will continue to strive to make it the last," said Pittsburgh Fire Bureau Chief Peter Micheli Jr.

Both families were presented with an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol on the day Brace and Stefanakis died. They also received the International Association of Fire Fighters' medals of honor.

As a sign that their sacrifice was valued throughout the community, Rabbi James Gibson, of Temple Sinai in Squirrel Hill, and Ebenezer's pastor, the Rev. J. Van Alfred Winsett, also offered prayers.

Toward the end of the service, a fire bell was struck 15 times, a traditional signal that a fire is out, duty is done and firefighters are returning to quarters.

"For Charlie and Rick, the last alarm," said fire Lt. Robert Kerestes, one of the cantors, his steady voice finally shaking. "They are going home."

At 2:15, as firefighters filed from the cathedral, bagpipers struck up "Amazing Grace." Then the pallbearers slowly descended the steps.

Seven former Marines fired a 21-gun salute.

The cathedral bell tolled. In the middle of Fifth Avenue, two buglers played taps. A pair of STAT MedEvac helicopters flew low down the avenue, circled and whirred past again.

A short time later, the cortege pulled away.