Midtown Blogger/Manhattan Valley Follies: Firefighter Nation

President Obama and the Nation Honor Our Fallen Firefighters

Service honors the fallen and their families at the National Fire Academy

President Barack Obama speaks during the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service at Mount St. Mary’s University’s Knott Athletic Recreation Convocation Complex (ARCC) in Emmitsburg, Md., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, to honor 84 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2014 and three firefighters who died in previous years. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Published Friday, October 2, 2015

Join the U.S. Fire Service in honoring the lives of 84 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2014 and three firefighters who died in previous years during the 34th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service on Sunday, October 4.

View the 2015 Roll of Honor

Read Remarks by the President at 34th Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service

The service begins at 10:00 a.m. (ET) at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland and is open to the public. During the service, a bronze plaque bearing the names of the fallen will be officially added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. These firefighters also will be remembered in a special Candlelight Service on Saturday, October 3 at 6:30 p.m. (ET).

Just prior to Memorial Weekend, leaders of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus will help launch the annual tribute. They will present 87 American flags flown over the U.S. Capitol to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, September 30 at 2:00 p.m. (ET). The flags will be displayed in the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Chapel until the service on Sunday when they will be presented to the survivors.

“Firefighters possess an extraordinary blend of courage and compassion which allows them to willingly face tremendous risks to help those in need,” said Chief Dennis Compton, Chairman of the Board of the NFFF. “Each fall, we gather to reflect on the sacrifices of those who died in the line of duty and to let their families, friends and co-workers know they will never be forgotten.”

Sign the Remembrance Banner

More than 5,000 people, including families, friends, members of Congress, Administration officials and firefighters are expected to attend on Sunday. Firefighter Honor Guards and Pipe & Drum units from across the U.S. will participate in this national remembrance.

Show Your Support on Social Media

NFFF provides live satellite feed and streaming of ceremonies along with video of events for downloading courtesy of VISTA Worldlink and WUSA9.com. For a complete list of fallen firefighters being honored and a widget to display their information on your website go to live.firehero.org. There you will also find Memorial Weekend streaming information, videos, photos, and satellite coordinates

The annual tribute is sponsored by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Fire Administration and is possible through the generous support from Motorola Solutions, Department of Justice, State Farm Insurance Companies, Tyco, VFIS and Provident.

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