The 2024 IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Ceremony in Colorado Springs honored 308 fire fighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.
As reported by The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), 195 of the honored members died between January 1 and December 31, 2023, while the remaining 113 members passed away in previous years but were only recently recognized.
General President Edward Kelly addressed over 7,000 attendees, saying: “We gather today as a family, to share this act of remembrance.
“Your loss is shared by us all; your grief, we hope, is lessened by all of us sharing our grief together.”
The event also featured Pipe and Drum Bands and Honor Guards from both the U.S. and Canada in a show of solidarity and support.
Kelly emphasized the significance of honoring those who have passed while also looking forward to a future with fewer casualties: “As we pay tribute to the sacrifice of 308 souls whose names are etched into these memorial walls, let’s rededicate our efforts to bring about the day when fewer and fewer fire fighters die too soon.”
Local 5 President Curt Crumb shared the profound impact of this year’s ceremony on his department, saying: “We grieve with you as we have lost one of our own, Driver and Engineer Bobby Keese.”
For Local 5, it was the first time in over a decade that one of their members had been added to the Wall of Honor.
Several family members of the fallen shared their memories and reflections during the ceremony.
Dover Air Force Base Local F-135 Fire Inspector and Captain Jeremy C. Lundgren, who passed away in 2023, was honored at the event.
His daughter, Kinsleigh, said: “He was always nice, funny, and would take care of people in need.
“When he died, he saved a lot of lives because he was an organ donor.”
Jeremy Lundgren’s mother, Lisa Chagnon, spoke about the sense of community the memorial brings: “The brotherhood of the moms and children who lost someone in the line of duty means you don’t feel like you’re the only one.”
Kristen Pascall, the wife of San Miguel, CA Local 1434’s Rick Pascall, who died from occupational cancer in 2010, shared her experience at the memorial.
She described how Local 5 had provided invaluable support, saying: “Local 5 did everything we didn’t know we needed.”
She also reflected on her ongoing connection with her husband at the memorial: “Every year, I bring a white rose and a sunflower, our wedding flowers, and leave them there, along with a kiss in bright red lipstick on the wall.”
Kristen noted that being at the memorial is the most healing act she can do in memory of her husband.
The 2024 IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Ceremony honored 308 fire fighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Of those, 195 died between January 1 and December 31, 2023, while 113 had passed away earlier but were only recently recognized.
IAFF General President Edward Kelly led the event, which was attended by over 7,000 people and included tributes from Local 5 and family members of the deceased.
The ceremony highlighted the importance of remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice while also reflecting on the need for fewer fire fighter deaths in the future.
