EMMITSBURG, Md. – Narrowly avoiding a possible federal government shutdown and Hurricane Matthew, thousands across the nation’s fire service were able to come together at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial and honor fallen firefighters from 2015 and previous years.
This was the 35th anniversary of the national memorial service. Several thousand people arrived in Emmitsburg on the first weekend of October to participate in several events that recognized a total of 112 fallen firefighters.
The service at the National Fire Academy highlighted 79 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2015 and 33 firefighters who died in previous years. The number is higher than recent years largely due to a new ruling on the Public Safety Officer Benefits that recognizes deaths caused by illnesses that have been directly related to rescue and recovery work at Ground Zero during the Sept.11 terror attacks.
This year the names of 22 members of the Fire Department of New York City have been added to the memorial wall in a special plaque noting this inclusion.
Rain from a combination of Hurricane Matthew and a cold front caused officials to move the Saturday evening Candlelight Service from the memorial grounds indoors to the Basilica of the Daughters of Charity at the National Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton. Families were first escorted to the memorial site where they had the opportunity to see the memorial and the Walk of Honor before going to the Basilica for a service that included special music and the lighting of luminaries made and decorated by the children of the fallen firefighters.
“We are here this weekend to celebrate the lives of your firefighters,” said National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Chairman of the Board Dennis Compton at the opening of Saturday evening’s service. “This weekend is for you, the family members and coworkers of these courageous individuals.”
On Sunday the families of the fallen firefighters being recognized were escorted through a sea of blue to the memorial at the start of the service. The memorial service began with a traditional ringing of the bells and connected those in Emmitsburg with those across the nation through the NFFF ‘Bells Across America’ effort. Chairman Dennis Compton provided opening remarks highlighting four core values that are shared by all firefighters.
“There’s a distinct blend of commitment, pride, courage and compassion that makes firefighters effective, and helps make the fire service family strong,” Compton told the audience. “We know there is dignity in what we do and we are proud to serve.”
Pipers and drummers provided the musical cadence for members of the color guard and honor guard as they marched in carrying folded American flags. The flags, which flew over the U.S. Capitol, were presented to family members or department representatives as speakers read aloud the names of every fallen firefighter recognized in this year’s memorial event.
“The service and sacrifice represented here today by these firefighters and their survivors should stand as in inspiration to all of us.” said Chief Ernest Mitchell, Administrator of the United States Fire Administration, in his address during the memorial service.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate delivered his remarks on behalf of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as he told the audience “it is a grateful nation that wants to honor today, your heroes that are now national heroes.”
Talking about the memorial site itself, Fugate added “those are plaques of heroes, in the truest sense of the term hero. Not a sports figure, not an action figure, not somebody with super powers, but somebody who went out there to serve their community and paid the ultimate price.”
The service concluded with the traditional tolling of the bell. District of Columbia Battalion Chief and IAFF Local 36 Past-President Ed Smith told about the history of the fire service’s use of a bell system and the signal 5-5-5. “For those who have selflessly devoted their lives for the good of their communities and fellow citizens, the bell tolls the last alarm, for they have gone home.”
As the honor guard and pipes and drums lead a pass in review, a sea of blue saluted the families, friends and coworkers of the 112 fallen firefighters honored this weekend. Chaplain Carl Ford of the Knoxville Tennessee Fire Department closed the service with a benediction encouraging the fire service to remain aware of the sacrifice made not only by the firefighters but their families also.
“We ask for your comfort, protection and prosperity and presence in their lives now,” said Chaplain Ford, “as we leave here, guide us in our efforts to make this list of names smaller.”
