Bill Introduced in Congress Would Keep National Fallen Firefighter Memorial Open During Shutdowns

EMMITSBURG, MD -- The location of the annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service was up in the air until days before the annual tribute due to a partial government shut down.

The Department of Homeland Security -- at the urging of Congress following an onslaught of correspondence from the nation's fire and rescue responders -- allowed the event to be held in front of the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial located on National Fire Academy campus.

That waiting game won't happen again if Congress passes legislation introduced by U.S. Representatives Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) and Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) that would ensure that national memorials on federal property remain open to the public during a government shutdown.

“Memorials are sacred spaces where families from every corner of our country come together to grieve, honor, and remember. No person, no family in America should ever be turned away from the very place that honors the service and sacrifice of a loved one. Our commonsense, bipartisan legislation will ensure that can never happen again. We owe these families so much more than our gratitude — we owe them dignity, respect, and peace,” Goodlander wrote in a statement.

Fedorchak said: “I’m proud to partner with Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander on this bipartisan effort to make sure families are never denied access to the memorials that honor their loved ones’ service and sacrifice. These spaces mean so much to those who have given everything for our country, and this legislation helps guarantee they remain open and accessible.” 

Merrimack Fire Lt. Chris Wyman, who lost his wife, Nashua Fire Lt. Jess Wyman to occupational cancer, lauded the representatives for their effort to keep the memorial open and accessible to everyone.

Wyman was one of about 1,400 responders who pleaded with Congress to keep the monument open. 

"I'm grateful for the effort that Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander has put into ensuring that our nation's firefighters that we've lost in the line of duty are continually honored and their families supported."

Wyman, who attended the annual memorial service this past weekend and visited the monument, added: "This bill strengthens the promise that Congress made many years ago when the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial was dedicated..."