On a warm Saturday afternoon, Mayor Bach paid his respects to the fallen brothers and sisters at the IAFF 26th Annual Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial 2012 Observance. On September 15th, in a ceremony in Memorial Park, 154 names were added to the firefighting Wall of Honor.
There are 2,754 names on the memorial now, which honors members of the firefighter union who died in the line of duty. The firefighters and paramedics honored this year died, or had their deaths reported to the union, from June 1, 2011, through June 1, 2012
The ceremony started with a procession and posting of colors by the IAFF Honor Guard. This was followed by laying down the memorial wreath accompanied by more than 240 pipers and drummers from the IAFF Pipe and Drum bands performing “Amazing Grace.”
Mayor Steve Bach is honored that our city is home to the memorial. “We know something about firefighters here,” he said, adding that the city experienced the courage and skills first-hand at the recent Waldo Canyon fire. He thanked the firefighters and extended his support to the families and friends who have lost someone.
During the presentation ceremony, the loved ones of the deceased received an encased flag, as a bell tolled for those who lost their lives. The event ended with the flags raised and then brought down to half-staff to commemorate the fallen heroes.
