National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend
October 5-7, 2007
Emmitsburg, Maryland
www.firehero.org

National Fallen FF Memorial
Fire Chief Brian Myers, Jr., Safety Officer Richard Behrens and Firefighters Frank Merrill and Adam Myers attended the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Services in Emmitsburg, Maryland.  The services were conducted over the weekend of October 5 – 7, 2007.  The national tribute concluded on Sunday with the unveiling of plaques listing the names of the 2006 fallen heroes and others being honored that died in previous years.  President George W. Bush was in attendance and met with each firefighter’s family that was being honored at the service.

Message from CHIEF BILLY GOLDFEDER www.firefighterclosecalls.com

We (along with 7,000 other Firefighters and Firefighter families) just returned from the 26th annual National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, MD. While the weekend was 100% focused on supporting the families of the Firefighters who were killed in the line of duty last year, we would be remiss if we didn't point out the fact that the President came to the memorial and stayed from start to end. While most any of us are at no shortage for opinions and thoughts to the President, set that aside for a moment understand that it was a significant decision and very symbolic for him to attend. He is the only President of the United States to ever attend the National Fallen Firefighters memorial service. From my very narrow world, focused on the fire service, his attendance not only meant a great deal for the fire service, but especially for the families at the memorial. He spoke personally and met with every single family that was there. We don't not all agree on the decisions he has made as our President, but for the families who lost loved ones in 2006, he did the right thing and made a difference by simply being there. He could have stayed away-but he didn't. He could have made a political speech-but it wasn't. He could have ignored one of the hottest issues in the fire service today-the embarrassing and horrific handling of Firefighter LODD heart attacks by DOJ, but he didn't. He publicly committed to fixing the Hometown Heroes fiasco. He stated “I want to tell you today that the Hometown Heroes Act will be fully implemented....this program will be administrated the way it was intended to be administrated....that's the least we can do as we honor the families of those who have died in the line of service.”
We absolutely appreciate the President attending the memorial-it means great deal. And we even more look forward to the President following up with his promise. You can read his presentation word for word to those at the memorial at:  
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/10/20071007.html
Take Care-BE CAREFUL.
BillyG
The Secret List 10-10-07