Cherry Hill firefighters joined Gov. Mikie Sherrill and regional labor leaders Friday, Sept. 4, at the 132nd Annual Peter J. McGuire Labor Day Observance and Scholarship Breakfast in Collingswood.

The Cherry Hill Professional Firefighters union, known as International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 2663, served as both a sponsor and participant in the event. The Southern New Jersey Central Labor Council hosts the annual breakfast, according to the union's website.

Seven Cherry Hill fire personnel attended. Cherry Hill Fire Commissioner Ryan M. Doran was joined by Local 2663 President Phil Cook, former Local 2663 President James Lyons, Local 2663 Treasurer Mark Scian and Local 2663 Vice President Shawn Doran. Cherry Hill Fire Officers IAFF Local 3198 President Rich Oberle and Local 3198 Secretary Sean Carlin also represented the department. Camden County IAFF Local 3249 President Keith Kemery rounded out the fire service contingent.

The two Cherry Hill locals cover different ranks. Local 2663 represents firefighters. Local 3198 represents fire officers.

In a statement posted after the event, the union said its members' commitment extends beyond the firehouse and that they stand in solidarity with all workers fighting for better conditions and rights. The union also said the gathering was a chance to reflect on the dedication that has shaped the labor movement.

The breakfast honors Peter J. McGuire, who co-founded the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America in 1881. McGuire is credited with first proposing the idea of a national Labor Day holiday in 1882. He is buried at Arlington Cemetery in Pennsauken Township.

Sherrill, who posted about the observance on Facebook, said it was great to join South Jersey's labor community and noted that McGuire helped give working people a day to call their own. She attended the breakfast at 10:30 a.m. before heading to a wreath-laying ceremony in Pennsauken at 11:30 a.m., Politico's New Jersey Playbook reported.

That wreath-laying took place at Arlington Cemetery, where McGuire has been buried since his death in 1906.