EMMITSBURG, MD -- Beautiful, amazing, awesome, powerful, moving, healing.
Those were among the words used by survivors whose loved ones were honored during the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.
Thousands gathered in the rain this weekend to pay tribute to 140 firefighters who gave the ultimate sacrifice while protecting their communities. They included 70 who died in 2024 and 70 in previous years.
Acting FEMA Director Cameron Hamilton asked for a moment of silence "as we hold their memory tight, reflecting on the light and goodness they brought to both our lives and this world."
Among those recognized was Roy 'Frank' Whitt, a firefighter with Route 504 Volunteer Fire Department in Kentucky.
Whitt was part of a procession escorting a local EMT who had died of a heart attack when his fire truck went off the road. He died of his injuries.
"My dad would be so honored. He just loved the fire service, especially training," his son, Roy, said.
His sister, Rita Jackson, agreed. "This was so emotional. Everyone was very, very professional."
Her daughter, Becky, was quick to add: "They pampered us. It was so nice."
Carrie Sherwood received a flag and rose in honor of Cedar Falls Firefighter Brad Sherwood, who died of a heart attack after working a 24-hour shift.
"It was totally unexpected. He was perfectly healthy," she said of her husband.
"The weekend was just spectacular. Everything ran like clockwork..."
She noted that when her daughter's plane landed at BWI, it was met by fire trucks and firefighters. "It took her breath away."
When the time is right, she wants to return to help others suffering a similar loss.
Michael Lambert is going back to Wayne Township, IN, after a myriad of emotional experiences.
He was there to honor his late father, Rod Lambert, who was injured in a fire truck crash while responding to a call in 1995.
Although he was left paralyzed from the chest down, Rod remained dedicated to the fire department and his family until he died last August.
Michael, who was seven months old when the wreck occurred, said the events the past few days "hands down, took my breath. I've never experienced anything like this in my life."
While he typically researches things beforehand, he didn't before heading to Maryland with his fiance, Melinda Reedy and their son, Chatt. He said he's glad he didn't.
"I'm not used to things like this. Everyone was treating us like family. It was just an awesome experience, all of it."
Reedy was impressed that organizers took the time to properly honor every single firefighter.
The service hit Michael hard, very hard. "I cried and I cried for all the other families. I just couldn't help it."
But, what he gleaned the most this weekend, was the re-connection with his grandmother, who he's missed.
"They brought my family back together."
Winchester, IN Firefighter Rick Sanders, 48, suffered a fatal heart attack at a fire.
"He was always the first on the scene and the first in. That's the way he was. He'd never take a break," his wife, Billie, said.
She said it was difficult to describe the events over the past days.
"I'm happy, but sad to be here..."
Mollie McCammon spent time after the memorial service fondly remembering her husband, Jim, a hot air balloon crew chief.
Five years after he retired as a captain with the Harrison, AR, Fire Department, he was diagnosed with kidney cancer and later, liver cancer.
Despite the diagnosis, they still traveled to balloon festivals.
"I'm thankful that people here were reaching out to take care of me. I think this will energize me to help others."
She's stayed in contact with others through group chats and phone calls. It was comforting to know someone was there if she needed it.
When volunteers with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation handed Keonna Harris a bag with her father's photo on it and encourged her to decorate it, she wasn't sure.
Minutes later, she was sorting through stickers with other survivors looking for ones that symbolized her father's interest.
Harris' father, Port of Seattle Firefighter Alvin Vaughn died of pancreatic cancer in 2023.
"I decorated his luminaire with fish and basketball stickers. He just loved to fish," she said. "The candlelight service was just amazing, beautiful. It was such an honor. I would love to come back and volunteer."
