Source: International Association of Fire Fighters

The 16th annual IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Ceremony, scheduled for Sept. 21, 2002 in Colorado Springs, is expected to be the largest in the memorial’s history.

IAFF members from across the U.S. and Canada will gather that Saturday at the IAFF’s beautiful memorial in the shadow of Pike’s Peak to offer a solemn tribute to our Union’s fallen brothers and sisters and to recognize the supreme sacrifice made by their families, loved ones, and friends.

Many of the families of IAFF members who died in the line of duty between June 2000 and June 2001 were unable to make last year’s observance due to travel limitations in the days after the September 11 terrorist attacks. As a result, many of them are expected to join the loved ones of IAFF members who were killed in the line of duty between June 2001 and June 2002 at this year’s ceremony, along with family members and friends of fallen fire fighters who attend the ceremony year after year.

Among the fallen fire fighters to be recognized in this year’s ceremony are the hundreds of members of New York City Locals 94 and 854 who were killed on Sept. 11, 2001.

Staff from the IAFF and the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, along with 9th District Vice President Mike McNeill, Colorado Springs Local 5, the Colorado Professional Fire Fighters, and Denver metro area IAFF affiliates have been working for more than two months to prepare for the ceremony and deal with the hundreds of logistical questions that must be addressed.

"The annual IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial ceremony is an intensely personal experience for each and every family member and loved one of our fallen brothers and sisters," said IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. "It is our mission and our duty to make sure that this ceremony is a fitting tribute to each of them, as well as their fallen heroes."

As part of the ceremony that begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 21 at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs, tentative plans call for flyovers of the memorial service by elite Air Force units, including the Thunderbirds. In addition, hundreds of honor guard members representing IAFF affiliates from across the nation are expected to participate.

"Our affiliates in Colorado Springs and across the state, along with city officials and citizens, are working together with the IAFF to make sure that this year’s ceremony is a success," said Vice President McNeill.

Information concerning the memorial ceremony and accommodations for family members and escorts has been sent from the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial staff to the families of those fire fighters and paramedics who will be honored at this year’s ceremony. It is imperative that family members respond as soon as possible to insure their attendance. Family members can contact the Memorial staff at (719) 442-2014.

Registration desks for family members and escorts will be set up at the family hotels in Colorado Springs beginning on Wednesday, September 18. Each pre-registered family member and its escort will receive information packets and credentials that will provide them with reserved seating at the September 21 ceremony. Family hotels will have quiet rooms and will be staffed 24 hours a day by Colorado Springs fire fighters and spouses of fallen fire fighters from past years. They will be prepared to answer questions and provide assistance to family members attending the ceremony for the first time.

Tentative plans also call for a Friday night reception for family members, escorts, and others attending the memorial observance.

Further information for all IAFF members and other interested parties will be posted shortly on the IAFF web site so that non-family members can begin making arrangements to attend the ceremony, according to Assistant to the General President George Burke, who is coordinating the ceremony for the IAFF. The web site will contain a section for Honor Guard members to communicate their interest in participating in the program.