The 2009 Memorial

More than 1,000 uniformed firefighters, family members and dignitaries from throughout California gathered this weekend to pay tribute to those who gave their lives to protect the lives and property of Californians.

In a solemn ceremony featuring honor guards and the traditional pipe and drum salute, 82 firefighters who fell in the line of duty – some from as far back as 1899 – were added to the California Firefighters Memorial. Located in historic Capitol Park, adjoining the California State Capitol in Sacramento, the Memorial carries the names of more than 1,100 firefighters who died in service since California became a state in 1850.

“Today, we honor the supreme sacrifice that our brothers and sisters have made to protect us in California,” said Lou Paulson, President of California Professional Firefighters and Chair of the California Fire Foundation. “They are true heroes and embody the spirit of honor, courage, duty and sacrifice.”

Some 20 firefighters who died from traumatic injuries or job-related illnesses in the past 18 months were also honored. In addition, more than 60 fallen heroes from earlier years are being honored – men and women who were brought to the California Fire Foundation’s attention in 2009.

Family members and colleagues of the honorees were in attendance at the ceremony, along with those from firefighters already immortalized on the polished limestone Memorial Wall. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke to the gathered crowd, on behalf of a grateful California.Also speaking was James Miguel, who was a friend and colleague of Modesto City Fire Department Engineer Kenneth Smith, who died of job-related brain cancer.

“Kenneth was a firefighter’s firefighter. Even after his cancer diagnosis, he was determined to get back to the rig and to his brothers and sisters at the firehouse and he did. He worked for seven months until his death. He’s an inspiration for us all,” said Miguel.

The centerpiece of the moving ceremony is the presentation of flags to the families, friends and representatives of every one of the individuals being honored. The tribute also features a solemn uniformed firefighter procession and the traditional “Last Alarm” ceremony, in which a fire bell is rung to signify a fallen firefighter’s final call to duty.

The California Firefighters Memorial was created without any state funding through private contributions to the California Fire Foundation. Most of the more than $2 million was raised to build and maintain the Memorial was raised directly from firefighters through the purchase of special firefighter license plates and a state tax check-off.

CLICK HERE to watch the 2009 Memorial video.

CLICK HERE to visit the 2009 Memorial Photo Gallery.

CLICK HERE to read about some of the 2009 honorees.