95 Fallen Firefighters to Be Honored at National Memorial and Boundary County

The U.S. Fire Service will pay tribute to the lives of 75 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2016 and 20 firefighters who died in previous years during the 36th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service on Sunday, October 8, 2017. A local memorial ceremony will also be held on that day at 2 p.m. at the main City Fire Station in downtown Bonners Ferry.

During the national service in Emmitsburg, Maryland, a bronze plaque bearing the names of the fallen will be officially added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Here in Boundary County, the names of the fallen will be read aloud in a program that features several fire service traditions designed to honor the dead, and will include for the first time the newly organized Boundary County Fire Chiefs’ Association Honor Guard.

“Firefighters possess an extraordinary blend of courage and compassion which allows them to willingly face tremendous risks to help those in need,” said Chief Dennis Compton, Chairman of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Board of Directors. “The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial is a testament to the ultimate sacrifice made by these brave men and women. All who visit the memorial throughout the year pause to honor these firefighters and reflect on the courage, sacrifice and strength of their survivors.”

More than 5,000 people, including families, friends, members of Congress, Administration officials and firefighters are expected to attend the national observance on October 8. Firefighter Honor Guards and Pipe & Drum units from across the U.S. will participate in this national remembrance. Here in Boundary County, the public is invited to attend the local ceremony, which will be preceded by a parade of fire apparatus which begins at Super 1 and ends at the Main Fire Station. The program will begin at 2 p.m., and is sponsored by Boundary County Chaplain Corps. Providence Bible Presbyterian Church is also supporting this remembrance as a participant in the Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters program.

For a complete list of fallen firefighters being honored go to http://weekend.firehero.org. For information about Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters go to www.bellsacrossamerica.com. Boundary County Chaplain Corps may be reached for more information at 208-267-3327.