Page 12 - November Banner 2017_Neat
P. 12
Page 12 November 2017 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
C o m m u n i t y news
36 Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend
th
Eileen Dwyer
Each October in Emmitsburg, American volunteers. were illuminated in respect for the
the National Fallen Firefighters flags, Additionally, fallen firefighters and their survivors.
Foundation sponsors the nation’s previously each family On Sunday, October 8, as part
official tribute to firefighters killed flown over was assigned of fire service tradition, the families
in the line of duty the previous the U.S. a fire service walked through a “Sea of Blue” of
year. The annual National Fallen Capitol, to escort uniformed fire service personnel,
Firefighters Memorial Weekend the National from their standing at attention. Once seated,
features special programs for family Fallen loved one’s Dennis Compton, the chairman of
members and coworkers, along with Firefighters department the Board of Directors, called the
moving public ceremonies, rich in Foundation. to accompany Memorial Service to order. At that
fire service tradition. Members of These flags them to all moment, the honor guard and pipes
Congress, Administration officials, were also Weekend and drums began their procession.
other dignitaries, members of the flown over events. The Memorial Service is
fire service, and families of these fire the National Saturday, typically held outdoors at the site
heroes, attend. Fallen October 7, of the National Fallen Firefighters
This year marked the 36 annual Firefighters was Family Monument. This year, however, the
th
Memorial Weekend, with between Monument Day. Events weather did not cooperate. Mount
4,000 and 6,000 in attendance, and in Photo by Coral Ruggiero for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation included Saint Mary’s University graciously
over 1,200 fire service volunteers Emmitsburg. small group offered its sports complex as the
contributing their time. Hundreds During sessions, venue. The Memorial Service is the
of firefighter honor guard and pipes the Memorial Service on Sunday, various family activities, a silent vigil final event held during the annual
and drums units from across the October 8, these flags were presented in the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. After the
country participated in the Weekend. to each family, along with a red rose Memorial Chapel, and the annual Service, and as part of Bells Across
According to Chief Ron Kanterman, (the symbol of the fire service) and Red Helmets Motorcycle Ride and America, bells rang out from coast to
2017 Memorial Weekend Incident a customized badge imprinted with wreath-laying ceremony. Family coast as a grateful nation paused to
Commander, ninety-five firefighters their firefighter’s name and year of Day concluded with the Candlelight honor these fallen firefighters.
were honored, seventy-five of which death. Service. Earlier in the day, children Congress created the National
were line-of-duty deaths occurring Also on Thursday, members of decorated luminary bags in honor Fallen Firefighters Foundation to
in 2016, and twenty from previous the fire service placed a wreath at of their special firefighter. These lead a nationwide effort to honor
years. Half of the firefighters from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier keepsakes were placed at the America’s fallen firefighters. Since
previous years died from illnesses at Arlington National Cemetery Monument. Right before dusk, 1992, the non-profit Foundation
related to the 9-11 tragedy. in Virginia. Family members of families lit the candles, signaling the has developed and expanded
The annual Memorial Weekend firefighters previously honored beginning of the Candlelight Service. programs that fulfill that mandate.
began on Thursday, October 5, 2017, arrived, ready to assist the new This year, the National Fallen The mission of the Foundation is
with a ceremony held in the Rayburn families and just “be there” for Firefighters Foundation observed its to honor and remember America’s
Building in Washington, D.C. support. New families arrived 25 anniversary. To commemorate fallen fire heroes, to provide
th
Members of the Congressional Fire on Friday, October 6, and were both this event and the Memorial resources to assist their survivors in
Services Caucus presented ninety-five welcomed by these empathetic Weekend, it created Light the Night rebuilding their lives, and to work
for Fallen Firefighters. As dusk turned within the fire service community to
to dark at the end of the Candlelight reduce firefighter deaths and injuries.
Service, the National Fallen For additional information about
Firefighters Memorial Chapel, along the Foundation, visit www.firehero.
with more than thirty iconic buildings org.
and landmarks across the country,
