About the Memorial
Conceived as a tribute to America's fire service,
the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial is one of this country's most
beautiful monuments to courage and unselfish service. Constructed in 1981
on the campus of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, the
Memorial was officially designated by Congress as the national Memorial to
career and volunteer fallen firefighters in 1990. It is a symbol of honor
for those who carry on the tradition of service to their communities.
The highlight of the Memorial is a sculptured
bronze Maltese Cross. Throughout the centuries, the Maltese Cross has been
adopted as a symbol by groups who provide aid in times of distress. The
cross rests atop a 7-foot stone cairn, denoting its importance as a
landmark monument. An eternal flame burns at the base of the cairn,
representing the spirit of the firefighter—past, present, and future. A
plaza in the shape of a Maltese Cross surrounds the Memorial. Plaques
listing the names of firefighters killed in service to their communities
since 1981 encircle the plaza. The area is framed on 2 sides by a 6-foot
stone wall which dates back more than 100 years.
The Memorial is open to the public throughout the
year. Thousands of students attending classes at NFA and EMI visit the
Memorial each year. When a firefighter dies on duty, local fire officials
notify the USFA. A notice of the death is immediately posted on the
Memorial grounds, and the flags over the Memorial are flown at half-staff
in honor of the fallen firefighter. If the established
criteria is met, the fallen firefighter is honored at the annual
memorial service.
Information courtesy of http://usfa.dhs.gov/fatalities/memorial/
Click On The Pictures For a Larger View
|
