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Honoring Fallen Firefighters
Fire Hero Families are presented with a flag, badge, and a rose.
The 38th annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service will take place Sunday, October 6, the culmination of a weekend of activities that honor the sacrifice of the nation’s fallen firefighters. Members of the public are welcome to attend the service, which is held at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial on the campus of the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) in Emmitsburg.
The weekend is organized by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), one of the many events the organization hosts for Fire Hero Families and the fire service.
“Memorial Weekend brings our Fire Hero Families to Emmitsburg to honor the sacrifice of their loved one and for the fire service to pay its respect to our fallen firefighters and to comfort their families,” says Chief Ron Siarnicki, Executive Director of the NFFF. “Thousands of people who come through Frederick County on this weekend will be greeted with open arms and we are grateful for the county’s kind welcome.”
Founded by an Act of Congress in 1992, NFFF is charged with honoring the sacrifice of fallen firefighters and comforting their families while working with its fire service partners to improve the safety of all firefighters. “Year-round, NFFF is here in Emmitsburg working with the fire service to find ways to keep firefighters safe,” continued Siarnicki. “We owe it to our fallen firefighters to keep as many families as we can from having to make that somber walk to the Memorial.”
ABOVE: Fire service salute during National Memorial Service. LEFT: National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Chapel lit in red during the Candlelight Service to honor America’s fallen firefighters.
Staff and volunteers spend months planning for Memorial Weekend, assisted by fire departments from around the country, including those in and around Frederick County.
Honor guards and pipe and drum corps take part in the weekend’s events. Fire Hero Families who lost a firefighter in previous years are on hand to help families grieving a loss this year understand that they are not alone in facing the loss of their loved one.
Over 5,000 people are expected to be in attendance, which in addition to Fire Hero families and firefighters draws Members of Congress, local, state and government officials. The Memorial Service is a moving tribute that incorporates some of the fire service’s most cherished traditions, including the playing of pipes and drums and the ringing of bells.
As the names of fallen firefighters are read, Fire Hero families receive an American Flag that was flown over both the Memorial and the U.S. Capitol, a personalized badge, and a red rose.
For individuals interested in attending the public ceremonies, the Candlelight Service will be held on Saturday, October 5th, at 6:00 p.m. and the Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, October 6th, at 10:00 a.m. For those who cannot attend the Memorial Service but wish to be a part of the Memorial Weekend, the NFFF has worked to expand its Bells Across America and Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters programs.
Both offer special ways that local communities can take part in honoring the nation’s fallen firefighters. For more information on Memorial Weekend and NFFF, visit www.firehero.org. Honor Guard stands vigil with Presidential Wreath at National Memorial.
