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DOD firefighters honored at national memorial

  • Published
  • By Connie Hempel
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Department of Defense firefighters were among 105 honored Oct. 3 when 11 of them were added to a national memorial during the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emmitsburg, Md.

This is the first time since the memorial was erected in 1981 that DoD firefighters were included. The DoD firefighters added to the memorial are the only ones who've died in the line of duty since 1981 -- five Air Force, three Marines and three DOD civilians.

Recognizing the significance of this year's event, The Louis F. Garland Fire Academy here sent eight of its honor guard members to participate in the weekend ceremony at the National Fire Academy campus and to hand the colors to family members of the fallen DoD firefighters.

The colors presented to each of the DOD fallen firefighter families were flown at the U.S. Capital Building in Washington, D.C., the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Maryland and at the DoD Fallen Firefighter Memorial here.

"It was all about the families, not just one individual," said Army Staff Sgt. Shane Woodmancy, Fire Academy Instructor and honor guard member. "Being able to be there for them in their time of need and being asked to be the lead team and carry the National Colors was a significant part for all of us."

Sergeant Woodmancy, who has been a DoD firefighter for six years and a Fire Academy honor guard member for one, said even though it was the first time there was military presence at the ceremony, they felt welcomed as the community and attendees embraced them.

"We tried to do the same," he said. "If we were practicing and a family member wanted to do a rubbing of the memorial bricks, we would stop, move out of their way and give them their time."

Army Sgt. 1st Class Lucius Kirkland, Fire Academy instructor, was also part of the honor guard detail sent to participate. He has been a DOD firefighter for seven years and part of the academy's Honor Guard for the last six, and said he was glad to be part of the ceremony.

"I've never been in anything like that with that much recognition for firefighters," he said.

Even with participants from fire departments around the country and little practice time, Sergeant Kirkland said they were able to work together and execute a noble ceremony for what some officials said was the largest audience they have seen yet.

"They were standing proud in front of 6,000 people representing the military and presenting the American flag for the National Anthem," said Mike Robertson, Fire Academy Training Development chief.

Mr. Robertson spent the last four years working with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to have DoD firefighters included.

"It's a great tribute to the firefighters who have never been recognized in the National Fallen Firefighter ceremony and an outstanding moment for the families," Sergeant Kirkland said. "They finally got to have their loved one nationally known as a military firefighter."