Firefighters from across the United States of America (including members of Wake and District) will gather together this weekend at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Maryland.
This is an annual gathering honoring those brothers (and sisters) who gave their lives in service. If you were to take a firefighter and strip them of their badge, remove their turnout gear, peel their skin back, and remove the organs – this brotherhood is that small fire that continues to burn inside of them. That small fire cannot be extinguished, cannot be contained, and cannot be taken away. It is what makes these brave men and women firefighters and they should never let personal feelings hamper their decision to help another “brother”.
This brotherhood burns even brighter for those who serve and also have chosen to play the pipes and drums. Playing the pipes and drums is how we honor our fallen; no spoken words – just music burning dignity and solemnity into the soul.
This year firefighters (and pipers and drummers) from across North Carolina will have the opportunity to come together in fraternal fellowship to honor our fallen comrades. Although we work for different agencies, wear different uniforms and play different instruments and tunes in different bands – music brings us together FOR OUR FALLEN.
From Legeros Fire Blog: The 38th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service will be held in Emmitsburg, MD, on Sunday, October 6, 2019, to honor 92 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2018 and 27 firefighters who died in the line of duty in previous years.
The North Carolina firefighters being honored are:
Michael Gene Goodnight West Liberty VFD Died 2018
Jeffrey Newton Holden Orange Rural FD Died 2019
Michael Eric “Bubba” Pennell Central Alexander FD Died 2017
Romulus S. “Tony” Spencer III Englehard FD Died 2018
William Perry Willis Asheville FD Died 2018
From our Drum Major, Jason Lane:
This time every year a journey is made to Emmitsburg Maryland, to honor our fallen!
This weekend will be my 11th trip to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial weekend with Mike and Patrick!
An honor to be part of the NFFFM Pipes and Drums! Can’t wait to hang with our brothers and sisters from across the states!
”Who is gonna remember us when we are gone”? Our brothers and sisters!! #forourfallen