Firefighters Pay Tribute To Fallen Comrades

Photo credit: Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services

Four firefighter with Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services recently took part in the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.

The event, held in Emmitsburg, Maryland Oct. 11-12, honored 107 firefighters who died in the line of duty. Ninety-eight of those firefighters perished in 2013 and nine others passed away in previous years.

The four members of the Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services Honor Guard who participated in the event were: Battalion Chief Ricky Collett, Stuart Flemming, Terrell Long and Sgt. Chris Brauda.

On Thursday, members of fire department honor guards from all over the country gathered to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington Cemetery. After the main ceremony, honor guard members formed an honor ally to pay tribute to the Tomb Guards.

“It just so happens that a group of World War II veterans were visiting the Tomb at the same time we were gathered to honor the Tomb Guards and while we were still in position, we were given the opportunity of honoring these members of the greatest generation,” Brauda said.

On Saturday, the fallen heroes were remembered during a special candlelight service. The main service was on Sunday with a massive gathering of pipes and drums and four battalions of honor guard members from all over the country.

“It was a fitting tribute to our fallen brothers and we are very proud to have attended,” Brauda added.

The annual tribute is sponsored by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Fire Administration.

More than 5,000 people, including members of Congress, administration officials and other dignitaries, members of the fire service, and families, friends, and co-workers of the fallen heroes attended the event.