In 1981, the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial was built on the campus of the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland. It was designated by Congress as the official national memorial for all firefighters who die in the line of duty. In 1992, Congress established the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to honor firefighters who die each year and to help their survivors rebuild their lives. Each October, during the weekend before Fire Prevention Week, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation sponsors the official national tribute to honor all firefighters who died in the line of duty the previous year. Regrettably, more than 100 firefighters are honored each year and have their names added to the National Memorial.
With the unprecedented loss of 442 firefighters in 2001, last year's Memorial Weekend activities were held in Washington, D.C., however, this year's program will be conducted back at the actual site of the National Memorial in Emmitsburg. The Memorial Weekend will consist of an array of activities for survivors and coworkers of fallen firefighters and several very moving public ceremonies. Activities will begin on Friday, October 3, 2003, when survivor families arrive from across the United States. Following registration, a "Welcome Reception" for the families will be held that evening. Saturday, October 4, 2002, is "Family Day" with special activities for survivors and coworkers on the grounds of the National Fire Academy. A fire service motorcycle ride honoring the fallen firefighters will arrive in the afternoon and the day will end with a candlelight service in the Basilica of the Mother Seton Shrine.
Sunday, October 5, will start with a private prayer service for the families of the fallen heroes in the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Chapel, followed by a "Procession of Honor" whereby family members will pass through a "Sea of Blue" across the beautiful and historic campus grounds. Following this, the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service will be held on the mall of the National Fire Academy, where a special program will honor and remember all of the firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2002. After the event, the families will return to their hotels and travel home.
The estimated cost for this year's Memorial Weekend is approximately one million dollars. A major fundraising initiative is underway to finance all of the programs and services provided by the foundation. If you are interested in helping with this event, please contact the foundation via our web site at www.firehero.org or by emailing us at [email protected]. Your support in this endeavor will be greatly appreciated and will provide an opportunity for you to assist the survivors of America's fire service heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in service to their communities.
