Photos from the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial 2002 Observance
Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial
2002 Observance
21 September 2002
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
On this beautiful Saturday afternoon in Colorado Springs, thousands gathered for the annual ceremony to honor fire fighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. This year's ceremony was to recognize the addition of 426 fire fighters who died since the last group of names were added. Since nearly 400 of those firefighters lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, many FDNY fire fighters and family members of those who died journeyed to Colorado Springs for the ceremony. A number of family members from last year's additions were present because the travel restrictions shortly after 9-11 kept some of them from attending the ceremony in September 2001.
This album includes pictures I took today to try to represent the spirit of the gathering. The Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial includes a couple of sculptures and two walls with names of fire fighters, who belong to the International Association of Fire Fighters, and who lost their lives in the line of duty in the United States and Canada since 1976. This year's addition of 426 raises the total names to more than 1,500 and represents a number of nearly a third of all the fire fighters lost in the previous 25 years.
I open the album with scans of the four pages of today's program. The 4th page superimposes the Fire Fighter's Prayer over an image of a weary fire fighter. Since some of the words may not be readable, here are the words of the Fire Fighter's Prayer.
Fire Fighter's Prayer
When
I am called to duty, God,
Wherever
flames may rage,
Give
me the strength to save one life
Whatever
be its age.
Help
me embrace a little child,
Before
it is too late
Or
save an older person
From
the horror of that fate.
Enable
me to be alert
To
hear the weakest shout,
And
quickly and efficiently,
To
put the fire out.
I
want to fill my calling,
And
give the best in me.
To
guard my every neighbor
And
protect his property.
And
according to Your will,
While
on duty I must answer death’s call,
Bless
with Your protecting hand,
My
family, one and all.
Some of the pictures will load a little slowly as I tried not to reduce the quality. If someone has a need for a particular picture, I could probably send a better version than what the web page construction program reduces the original to. Send me a note to: jimmie@jimmiehbutler.com
If anyone has a good use for any of these pictures to honor those fire fighters who perished this year, send me a note and use them with my blessing.
Photos from the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial 2002 Observance