This year marks the 30th annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, to be held at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Fire Administration will honor 72 firefighters this weekend who died in the line of duty in 2010, as well as seventeen firefighters who died in previous years.
This year’s tribute will include some additions:
For the first time, the bells of the Chapel at the National Memorial will chime in honor of the fallen heroes, and the NFFF has encouraged firefighters across the country to invite their places of worship to participate, in an effort dubbed “Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters.”
In addition, a “virtual remembrance banner” has been created online. Visitors can share and read messages paying tribute to a fallen firefighter or sharing memories from the memorial weekend.
This weekend’s events will include candlelight vigil on Saturday at 6 p.m., and the memorial on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
Full coverage will be provided here at Firehouse.com, and event details are available at http://weekend.firehero.org.
"Firefighters are called upon to face danger on a daily basis," said Chairman of the NFFF Board of Directors, Chief Dennis Compton, in a prepared statement. "In October, a grateful Nation will honor their dedication and remember their sacrifice. The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend brings their loved ones and the fire service together to let their families, coworkers, and friends know that they will never be forgotten."
