25th annual Memorial Weekend honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice

PHOTOS COURTESY BILL GREEN/NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION An honor guard presided over the Saturday evening candlelight service, held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) 25th annual Memorial Weekend, held Oct. 7–8, was once again a time of remembrance, reflection and hope, as families of firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2005 came together to honor those they have lost. 

Approximately 6,500 people attended the National Memorial Service on Sunday, including 600 family members of the fallen and 100 returning family members of those honored in previous years. As families entered the memorial grounds, hundreds of uniformed firefighters lined the sidewalk in a "sea of blue." The ceremony, rich in fire service tradition, began with an honor guard and bagpipe band processional. Each family received an American flag that had flown over both the nation’s Capitol and the National Fallen Firefighters Monument. They also received an inscribed firefighter badge. 

The tribute concluded with the unveiling of memorial plaques listing the names of the 2005 fallen heroes and those who died in previous years.

Guests of honor included U.S. Sen. Paul Sarbanes (Md.), known as the patriarch of the NFFF; U.S. Reps. Steny Hoyer and Roscoe Bartlett; Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich; and Under Secretary for Preparedness George Foresman.

Participants in the candlelight service shared the light from the Remembrance Candle; the service also featured musical selections by members of the fire service and survivors of fallen firefighters, as well as a video tribute to the 2005 fallen heroes.

Although the Sunday memorial service was the primary focus of the weekend, a host of other activities took place during Family Day on Saturday. While adults attended the Opening Session to learn about the NFFF’s year-round support programs, children took part in a special art activity. Fire service clowns and other adults helped them decorate tributes to each of the fallen firefighters.

Also on Saturday, approximately 170 riders took part in the Eighth Annual Red Helmets Ride, riding through Emmitsburg before arriving at the National Fallen Firefighters Monument for a wreath-laying ceremony.

The luminary bags prepared during Family Day were displayed during the Saturday evening

Family members of fallen firefighters were greeted at the memorial service by the "sea of blue," in which hundreds of uniformed firefighters lined the sidewalk.

candlelight service, held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. The fire service Honor Guard helped families light commemorative votive candles for their fallen firefighters. Returning survivors shared the light from the Remembrance Candle, a symbol of the hope and friendship shared by all who have lost a firefighter.

The weekend also included small group sessions for family members, designed to address special needs according to the survivor’s relationship to the firefighter.

For example, elementary, middle- and high-school groups helped younger family members deal with the loss. These groups allow family members to share with and learn from others in similar situations.

The Memorial Weekend is different than any other state or local memorial services the families may have attended honoring their firefighter. It celebrates the life of the fallen firefighter and helps the survivor begin a journey of healing by surrounding them with other survivors who traveled similar paths.

The National Memorial Service on Sunday recognized 107 fallen firefighters— 100 firefighters from 2005 and seven from previous years.

 

Thirteen full-time staff, contractors, a volunteer planning committee and a multitude of volunteers from the fire service, including 100 returning family members, worked tirelessly to plan and hold the Memorial Weekend. One of the survivor volunteers notes:

"Last year at the Memorial Weekend [2005] I met a man from Nebraska who was there honoring [a fallen firefighter]. Later, he told me he felt so secure, so cared for and so safe that entire weekend. He was amazed at how well things went and how all their needs were met while they were in Emmitsburg. He kept telling others how much was done for them and how much they appreciated it."

 

For more information on the NFFF, or to donate, visit www.firehero.org.
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