IAFF Honors Fallen Firefighters and Family at Solemn Ceremony

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo (Sept. 20) -- More than 3,000 family members, firefighters, and friends from across the U.S. and Canada gathered Saturday under sunny skies in Colorado Springs to honor 77 firefighters whose names were added to 1,500 others gracing the Wall of Honor at the 17th annual IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial observance.

As flags held by hundreds of fire fighters ringing the memorial waved in the warm breeze, a single bell tolled as the name of each fallen hero was called and a flag bearing the Maltese cross of the International Association of Fire Fighters was presented by a white gloved honor guard to each family. As the last name was read, the sound of bugles playing taps floated across the memorial grounds.

IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger said the union firefighters killed in the line of duty