EMMITSBURG, MD -- Honor Guard members from fire and rescue departments across the country spent hours Wednesday rasing American flags at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
They will be presented to the families of 226 firefighters being honored during the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service on Sunday.
The names of 89 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2023 and 137 firefighters who died in previous years will be added to a plaque at the memorial during the service.
Among personnel who will be recognized for giving the ultimate sacrifice include those who perished during or after incidents, firefighters killed in vehicle crashes as well as those stricken by illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes, cancer and COVID.
More than 1,200 family members are expected to attend the service that will be live-streamed.
The number of firefighters to be honored is one of the the highest ever.
