SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

A Blue Mass was held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Punta Gorda on Saturday to honor all the area first responders, police officers, firefighters, correction officers and emergency medical personnel, living and dead, for their service to the community. The Honor Guard, led by a Punta Gorda Police officer, brings the colors to the altar as the Blue Mass begins.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

The Rev. Leo Riley speaks to those attending, including the Blue Knights Chapter XVI.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Knights of Columbus officers from the Ponce De Leon Council 8074 in Punta Gorda attended the service.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Members of the Charlotte County Fire/EMS attended the mass.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

All retired and active duty members of the fire, police, EMS and corrections were asked to stand for a group photo.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

A church musician plays his saxophone during the ceremony.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

A lone bagpiper played "Amazing Grace" near the completion of the Blue Mass.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Knights of Columbus Honor Guard stand at attention as the colors were retired at the close of the ceremony.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Explorers leave the church after the ceremony.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

From left, the Rev. Leo Riley stands beside Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Volunteers, Sue and Roy Bostic and George Pish.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Ken Baker and Charlie Holbrook, from Charlotte County Fire/EMS, Ron Logan of the Punta Gorda Fire Department and Norman Wilson from Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Knights of Columbus member Bill Benner serves dinner to Punta Gorda Fire Marshall Jennifer Molner at a reception following the ceremony.