This past Saturday - we went to the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial Park, in Wisconsin Rapids for the Final Alarm Ceremony. Our Dad was among 5 Line of Duty deaths that happened since last ceremony, in WI.
We arrived on a charter bus - with 33 of us!
The Final Alarm Ceremony was very well attended. It was a good ceremony - despite the rain (and being cold). It was a little emotional (I'm sure it would have been different if the weather was better).
My Mom requested that she could have a picture of Dad to hold during the ceremony. So the morning of I went to get an 8 X 10" picture, and I put it in a frame. I brought along a dozen roses. I (along with my sister's help.. Thanks Amy!) put a black ribbon on each rose. one for Mom, 4 for the children, and 7 for the grandchildren (yes one for the unborn baby). We left the picture up during the ceremony, under our Dad's name.
Our Mom received a folded American flag inside a flag case with a Maltese cross on the back, and a single rose.
We left the roses under our Dad's name - that will be forever etched on the wall of the memorial.
There are more pictures of our day here - Final Alarm Ceremony - 10/03/2009
Here is an article about the ceremony posted in the newspaper - Firefighters ceremony honors those lost in the line of duty
Next year, we will be in Emmitsburg, Maryland for the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial weekend.
1 comment:
Kim ~ I'm so glad you Dad was recognized at this event as well as the National Firefighters Memorial. When you head to Maryland, let me and Beth H. know, we'd love to meet up with ya!
Carol
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