LODDS

Firefighters, Family Honor 2004 Line-Of-Duty Deaths

Oct. 10, 2005

This year, the names of 107 firefighters joined the memorial at the National Fire Academy in Maryland.

An honor guard is shown at the 24th annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg. Md., Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005. This year, the names of the 101 fallen firefighters from 34 states who died in the line of duty in 2004 will be added, along with the names of six firefighters who died in previous years.

In a Maryland farming community, under gray overcast skies, a bagpipes and drum band marched in place, warming up for the ceremony that would honor those firefighters who had fallen in the line of duty in 2004.

Firefighters like Willie J. Lacy. Lacy, or "Mr. Lacy," as he was known around the firehouse, was remembered Sunday for his strong work ethic and the respectful way he treated others.

"To him, everyone was 'good people,'" a memorial note reads. The 22-year veteran of the Augusta Fire Department in Georgia was remembered as the "heart of his family and friends."

Lacy