Hundreds Pay Tribute to 31 Fallen Firefighters in Sacramento Ceremony

California Firefighters Memorial Honors Those Who Paid the Ultimate Price

(SACRAMENTO) Thirty-one firefighters who died in the line of duty were forever memorialized when their names were added to the California Firefighters Memorial this weekend.

Flagbearers and Honor Guard

Hundreds of uniformed firefighters, family members and dignitaries from throughout California gathered to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the lives and property of Californians. The ceremony, which is hosted every fall by the California Fire Foundation, featured a procession of honor guards, flagbearers and the traditional pipe and drum salute.

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.

"This Memorial is not simply about the empty space we feel at the loss of these heroes. It is also about how they filled that space in life, and the legacy they leave for future generations," said Lou Paulson, Chair of the California Fire Foundation and President of California Professional Firefighters.

Among the names added to the Memorial Saturday were LA County fire captain Ted Hall and firefighter Arnie Quinones, who lost their lives in the devastating 2009 Station Fire, while struggling to save 50 people in their inmate fire camp and Visalia firefighter Frank Reed, a 25-year fire service veteran, who has inspired his son Corbin to follow in his footsteps as a firefighter.

Nine firefighters who died from traumatic injuries or job-related illnesses in the past 12 months were honored, as well as 22 others from earlier years that were brought to the California Fire Foundation's attention in 2010.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke to the gathered crowd, on behalf of a grateful California. CLICK HERE FOR A TRANSCRIPT OF SCHWARZENEGGER'S SPEECH.

Riverside City Engineer Garrett Coryell

"The men and women we honor today did not just lose their lives in the line of duty, they gave up their lives in service to others. Some people live their entire lives wondering if they ever made a difference. As real-life action heroes, firefighters make a difference in people’s lives every day," said Schwarzenegger.

Also speaking was Garrett Coryell, friend and colleague to Riverside City firefighter-paramedic Eric Botkin, who succumbed to a brain tumor at the age of 41.

"Eric's compassion, his strength, his bravery, his perseverance and his positive nature exemplified the traits we all expect our brother and sister firefighters to possess," said Coryell. "Honoring Eric is not a new concept for me ... It was an honor just to know him."

Hall family's flag presentation

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.

Unveiled in April of 2002, the California Firefighters Memorial features two statues and a dramatic Memorial Wall on which the names of fallen firefighters are engraved. One statue - "Holding The Line" - depicts four firefighters in action, while the other - "Fallen Brother" - shows a single firefighter carrying a fallen colleague away from danger. "Fallen Brother" was designed and sculpted by Sacramento firefighter Jesus Romo. The 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 firefighter license plates and a state tax check-off.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PHOTO GALLERY

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE MEMORIAL VIDEO

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MEMORIAL TRIBUTE BOOK

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CPF FIREVISION ABOUT THE 2010 MEMORIAL