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Six Members from Company 33, Four
Members from Monroe, and 8 Members from Union traveled to Emittsburg, MD
on Sunday, October 5th to take part in the National Fallen Firefighter's
Memorial Weekend at the National Fire Academy. The company was invited
to participate as part of a static apparatus display set up in the front
yard of the fire academy along Seton Av. E133 was on display with Monroe
E25, Union E241, and Gettysburg Truck 1. Crews from the three Cumberland
County Companies traveled together leaving at 05:30 Sunday morning to
arrive and be set up prior to 08:00. A large American Flag was raised
between E241 and Truck 1 with the Engines flanking each side. After the
display was set up, the crews attended the morning breakfast buffet
inside the facility then was able to tour the Fallen Firefighter's
Memorial (pictured above) as well as the 9/11 Memorial. The crews were
also able to participate in the "Sea of Blue" in which we lined the
sidewalk together with over 2000 other firefighters in full Class "A"
Dress as the families of 109 fallen firefighters were escorted to the
seats. After standing at attention for over 1 hour, the last of the
families were escorted by and we then watched the honor guards march in
as part of the opening ceremonies. We then took up our seats and watched
as each and every name of a fallen firefighter was read and each family
was called up and presented with an American Flag, Maltese Cross, and
Red Rose. During the morning, several guests speakers and soloists were
added into the program. After all the families were presented, the brass
fire bell rang out the traditional 5-5-5 to signify they have come home.
It was a very moving experience and we were very proud to have attended.
Union Fire Company Firefighter Ron Bouch had the very distinct honor of
being an escort for the familiy of Raymond Charles Simonis III from
Wissahickon, PA. After the ceremony and breaking down the apparatus, the
crews from Monroe, Union, and Gettysburg enjoyed a fine meal at Chubby's
BBQ along US RT15 in Emittsburg before making the trip back home. A
special thank you to Manheim Township (Lancaster County) Fire Chief Rick
Kane for securing our spot this year.
We encourage you to check additional information regarding the Fallen
Firefighter's Memorial and photos can be found at
www.firehero.org
The display in front yard of the National
Emergency Training Center
Preparing to raise the flag
Our Flag Proudly waving in the morning
breeze
The crew at the Fallen Firefighter Memorial
Plaque honoring the firefighters that lost their lives
at the World Trade Center
The 9/11 Memorial on the Grounds of the National
Training Academy
Another view of the Memorial-The Bronze Statuses are
nearly 25 feet in height!
One of the many Honor Guards presenting the
Colors
American Flag flying proudly above the Fallen
Firefighter's Memorial-
Progress Truck 32 (Dauphin County) and Emittsburg, MD Tower supporting the
flag.
The Crew in front of E133
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