Home»All Photographs»Fire & Emergency Service Events»Fire and Police Funerals»26th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial

Ninety-one firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty were honored on the first weekend of October, 2007 at the 26th annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. "The bond between the firefighters is obviously unique; it is definitely a source of strength", President George W. Bush told families and friends of the fallen heroes. "And it's a reminder that the work here is a calling, not a job." The weekend opened with the ninth annual Red Helmets Ride, where several hundred motorcylists arrived at the National Fire Academy campus in Emmitsburg under an American flag hanging from the ladders of Tower 6 of the Emmitsburg Volunteer Fire Department and Walkersville Fire Department Quint 11. A ceremonial wreath was laid at at the memorial, while Baltimore City Firefighter Bob McCurdy (a member of the Fire Brigade Pipes & Drums of Greater Baltimore) played the bagpipes and a honor guard from the Jacksonville Fire Department paid tribute to fallen colleagues. A highlight of the weekend was a receently unveiled sculpture by Stan Watts depicting the three FDNY firefighters raising a flag among the rubble at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001. Each firefighter stands more than 19 feet tall, surrounding a flag pole about four stories tall and an authentic American flag. The base includes 343 stones, one for each of the FDNY LODDs.