"Our promise as this union, as their brothers and sisters, is to make sure you never carry the weight of that sacrifice alone." 

That's what IAFF General President Edward Kelly told the thousands gathered Saturday at the 40th annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Colorado Springs.

He also remembered the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that claimed 343 FDNY members and one NYC Fire Patrolman who responded that morning, the IAFF noted.

“It was the single greatest loss of fire fighters (sic) in recorded history. It was also the single greatest rescue effort ever performed. The story of fire fighters on 9/11 is as much about the lives saved as the lives lost.”

Kelly mentioned the late FDNY Deputy Chief James Riches, who died last year of a 9/11-related illness. 

Riches located the body of his eldest son, Jimmy, from the ruins of the World Trade Center. 

During the ceremony under a brilliant sky, Kelly also recognized Coeur d’Alene, ID, Battalion Chief John Morrison Jr. and Kootenai County Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, who were killed in an ambush. at a brush fire.

Coeur d'Alene Fire Fighter/Engineer David Tysdal, who was injured in the same attack, attended the service.

“We honor their lives. Their service,” said Kelly. “And we honor you, because every one of those 288 members left behind families who loved them. You made sure they never carried the weight of this job alone, and our promise as this union, as their brothers and sisters, is to make sure you never carry the weight of that sacrifice alone.”