95 Bravest To Be Remembered

Posted: Tuesday, September 28, 1999 - 3 PM

Complete State-by-State Listings w/Descriptions & Off Site: USFA Photos from the Ceremony

United States Fire Administration

EMMITSBURG, MD -- Career and volunteer firefighters from 33 states and Puerto Rico who died serving their communities will be remembered during the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend on October 2-3, 1999, at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sponsor the annual national tribute.

Memorial Weekend Schedule Saturday, October 2 Family Day Activities 8:30 to 4:30 pm Open to family and coworkers only Memorial Park Postal Station Noon to 6:45 pm Commemorative Stamp and Candlelight Services 6:45 pm; general public Sunday, October 3 Chapel Service 9:30 am; families only National Memorial Service 10:30 am; general public

The Weekend honors the firefighters killed in the line of duty each year and recognizes the dedication and service of firefighters nationwide.

Last year 87 firefighters paid the ultimate price. They include three New York City firefighters who died trying to rescue residents of a senior citizens' building, a young Georgia volunteer firefighter killed fighting a church fire set by a serial arsonist, and two Ohio firefighters from a small department that had lost another firefighter a few months earlier.

Eight other firefighters who died in previous years will also be honored.

More than 3,000 people, including families and coworkers of the fallen firefighters, fire and emergency services leaders, and state, local, and federal government officials, are expected to take part in a wide variety of ceremonial Memorial Weekend events.

The Weekend focuses on honoring the fire heroes and providing support services for their families and friends. Special events include support sessions for families and coworkers, a Candlelight ceremony, a private Chapel Service, and the official National Memorial Service on October 3.

The tributes conclude with the unveiling of a bronze plaque adding the names of the 1998 fallen firefighters to the nearly 2,000 who have been honored at the national monument since its creation in 1981. A schedule of events follows.

In 1990, the U. S. Congress designated the monument as the official national memorial site for all volunteer and career firefighters who died in the line of duty. Congress established the NFFF to lead national efforts to honor fallen firefighters and assist their families.

The NFFF is currently expanding the monument site to create the first, permanent National Memorial Park honoring all firefighters-past, present and future.

The public National Memorial ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. (EDT). Many fire departments will conduct simultaneous services, lower flags to half staff, sound sirens at noon, and observe a moment of silence.

More information on the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is available on the Internet at www.firehero.org. The web site includes a weekend schedule, a list of the fallen firefighters being honored, and images of past memorial services.