Feb. 20--Thousands turned out Wednesday to honor the memories and celebrate the lives of Bryan firefighters Lt. Greg Pickard and Lt. Eric Wallace.
Community members, family, friends and first responders from around the nation and Canada joined in the four-hour memorial at Central Baptist Church in College Station.
Pickard, 54, and Wallace, 36, died from wounds suffered while fighting a Friday night fire at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Groesbeck Street.
Wednesday's memorial service started with a procession of more than 150 fire trucks from around the state that stretched 2.8 miles long.
The memorial featured the tolling of the bell, "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes, songs by the Texas A&M Singing Cadets, and a sharing of stories by friends and fellow firefighters.
Bryan Fire Department Lt. DJ Capener served as master of ceremony, and former Chief Mike Donoho and Lt. Gerald Burnett spoke on behalf of the families. U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, Bryan Mayor Jason Bienski and International Association of Fire Fighters President Harold A. Schaitberger spoke.
Family members of Pickard and Wallace were presented with American flags flown over the U.S. Capitol to honor the men and IAFF Medals of Honor.
"We have lost two devoted members of our organization," said Fire Chief Randy McGregor. "The impact these men had will go on for years in our organization. These men had such an impact on every one of our persons sitting out here, and I know that they will carry on the legacies of everything they brought to us."
Copyright 2013 - The Eagle, Bryan, Texas
