Goodfellow |17th TRW hosts annual DoD Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service Published March 17, 2023 By Senior Airman Ashley Thrash 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas-- The 17th Training Wing honored firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty and were memorialized at the annual Department of Defense Fallen Firefighter Memorial, March 17. The ceremony included the firefighters' prayer, a lowering of the flag to half-staff, and the firefighters’ final call. The final call is signified by the ringing of a bell, a tradition that goes back to the earliest days of firefighting tradition, where a bell is rung to signify the beginning and end of a call. The ceremonial bell was rung five times as a send off to the firefighters that sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. 17th TRW hosts annual DoD Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Jeffrey Trueman, 312th Training Squadron flight chief, speaks during the annual Department of Defense Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 17, 2023. The ceremony included the firefighters' prayer, a lowering of the flag to half-staff, and the firefighters’ final call. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ashley Thrash) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res 17th TRW hosts annual DoD Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service Members of the joint service color guard lower a flag to half-staff during the annual Department of Defense Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 17, 2023. Lowering the flag to half-staff during the ceremony symbolized the mourning of the firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ashley Thrash) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res 17th TRW hosts annual DoD Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Nicholas Spitzer, 312th Training Squadron instructor, speaks during the annual Department of Defense Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 17, 2023. Since 1993, the Louis F. Garland DOD Fire Academy has graduated more than 60,000 students from basic and advanced fire training courses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ashley Thrash) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Col. Christopher Corbett, 17th Training Wing vice commander, and Senior Master Sgt. Jeffrey Trueman, 312th Training Squadron flight chief, spoke on the importance of first responders and the vital role fire protection training plays throughout the wing. “The greatest love anyone can show is to give their lives so that others may live,” said Corbett. “For our students here today, this could be you on your first day. Are you ready? Will you be at your best when someone else needs you the most?” Since 1993, the Louis F. Garland DoD Fire Academy has graduated more than 60,000 students from basic and advanced fire training courses. At the conclusion of this year's ceremony, the 17th TRW paid tribute to Staff Sgt. Bryce Rudisell, a former fire training instructor, and thanked all instructor and student families for their continued support. 17th TRW hosts annual DoD Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Isaac Ross, 312th Training Squadron instructor, rings the ceremonial bell during the final call at the annual Department of Defense Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 17, 2023. The ceremonial bell was rung five times as a send off to the firefighters that laid down their lives in the line of duty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ashley Thrash) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Goodfellow holds memorial for U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Bryce Rudisell An instructor photo of U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Bryce Rudisell from 2019, at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. A memorial service was held Oct. 7, 2022, for U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Bryce Rudisell, Fire Training Instructor at the Louis F. Garland DoD Fire Academy, who was killed Oct. 2. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ethan Sherwood) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res 17th TRW hosts annual DoD Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service A member of the joint service color guard places a bouquet of flowers upon the fallen firefighter memorial statue during the annual Department of Defense Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 17, 2023. The memorial symbolizes the heroism and sacrifice of DOD firefighters that gave their lives in the line of duty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ashley Thrash) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res