EMMITSBURG, Md. — Due to the inclement weather in the Mid-Atlantic region, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation changed locations for this weekend’s annual ceremonies to honor 87 firefighters who died in the line of duty.
Sunday’s Memorial Service will be at Mount St. Mary’s University at 10:00 a.m. and is open to the public. Doors open at 7:45 a.m.
The Candlelight Vigil on Saturday evening will be at the Elizabeth Ann Seton Daughters of Charity. Due to space limitations, it is not open to the public.
Both ceremonies are traditionally held outside on the grounds of the National Fire Academy.
President Barack Obama will speak at the memorial service to honor the fallen firefighters.
“The president looks forward to thanking our nation’s firefighters for the extraordinary courage they display every day, particularly during these challenging times as communities across the Western United States combat the recent outbreak of wildfires,” White House spokesman Josh Ernest said.
Of those honored, 84 were firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2014; three other firefighters died in previous years. Survivors of each of the fallen firefighters will be presented with an American flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol.
More than 5,000 people are expected to attend.
There will be a live streaming broadcast of the memorial service again this year.