EMMITSBURG, Md. -- Previously planned events in honor of America's fallen firefighters are taking on a new poignancy. The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, celebrating its 20th anniversary this October, has several local events planned in conjunction with the remembrance of the 99 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2000.
Planned events include: On Friday, Oct. 5, the Libertytown Volunteer Fire Department and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation are hosting the First Annual Fall Golf Scramble at the Glade Valley Golf Club in Walkersville. All the proceeds raised in the tournament will be donated to the Foundation. These proceeds will be used for programs to support the families of America's fallen firefighters.
Sponsors are still being sought for the tournament. Fire departments, unions and other organizations should have sponsorships of $100. Sponsors' names will be placed on the golf course and in the program booklet. Start times will be at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.
On Saturday, Oct. 6, motorcyclists from across the country will ride in the Third Annual Red Helmets Ride to show their support for the families and coworkers of America's fallen fire heroes. The ride, which concludes in a wreath-laying ceremony on the National Fire Academy (NFA) campus in Emmitsburg, will be a highlight of the Memorial Weekend. The participating motorcyclists are expected to include current and past firefighters, EMTs and other riders. Several of the fallen firefighters were motorcyclists themselves.
Groups participating in the Red Helmets Ride will come together at Francis Scott Key Mall in Frederick. They will leave the mall at 11:30 a.m., escorted by the Maryland State Police for the 30-mile ride to Emmitsburg. A group will leave at 9:30 a.m. from the Anne Arundel Fire Training Academy off Veterans Highway in Millersville, with a state police escort to the mall. Maryland State Police Superintendent Col. David B. Mitchell is expected to ride with the group again this year. Boy Scouts from Frederick will be lining the driveway of the NFA campus as the motorcyclists complete their ride.
After the wreath-laying ceremony, riders are invited to a cookout at the Log Cabin on campus. Participants will receive pins commemorating their ride and a Memorial Weekend patch.
To participate in the Fall Golf Scramble, contact Marty or Carol Fuller at 301-898-7879 or [email protected], or contact the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation at 301-447-1365 or [email protected]. To participate as a sponsor, mail a check with the name of the department/organization to:
Fall Golf Scramble Libertytown Volunteer Fire Department/National Fallen Firefighters Foundation P.O. Box 1 Libertytown, MD 21762
To participate in the Red Helmets Ride, contact Kathy Evans at 301-695-7341 or at [email protected].
