Last weekend, the Nation honored those who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their life in the Line of Duty at the 32st Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

The weekend memorialized the 73 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice and died in the Line of Duty in 2012 and 8 firefighters who died in previous years. Among those being honored, which include 10 from Pennsylvania, are 4 local heroes – two from the Philadelphia Fire Dept. (Captain Robert P. Neary and Lieutenant Daniel Sweeney), one from our neighbors in the West Chester Fire Dept. in Chester County (Captain Chris “Goody” Good), and one from the Bristol Fire Dept. in Bucks County (Fire Police Captain David A. Wintz Sr.).

This weekend was different from years past, because the Federal Government shut down forced the last minute relocation of memorial services from the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center (which is home to the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial) to off site facilities. However, despite the logistical challenges of moving an entire memorial weekend's activities offsite and the loss of Federal workers, the fire service came together in a remarkable showing of support and unity to ensure the weekend still went on to honor those who died, and to help assist their surviving loved ones with the transition.

The weekend culminated in a memorial service at 10 am Sunday morning where the names of 81 fallen firefighters were added to bronze plaques that surround the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, honoring the service of more than 3,600 fallen firefighters.

More than 6,000 people, including Members of Congress, Administration officials and other dignitaries, members of the fire service, and families, friends, and co-workers of the fallen firefighters attended the event. The families of the fallen received flags flown over the U. S. Capitol and the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, along with a rose and the Firefighter's badge. Members of the fire service, honor guard units and pipe and drum units from across the U.S. participated in this national remembrance.

A video highlight of this years service can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsUDXG4g-TM

The East Whiteland Fire Company was once again represented at this years weekend by Firefighter-EMT/Public Information Officer Michael Schon, who worked behind the scenes as a Public Information Officer as part of the Command Staff.

The East Whiteland Fire Company remembers all those who have fallen serving their community, and thanks those heroes for making the ultimate sacrifice to serve the greater good. Our thoughts are with them, and those who they have left behind.

Pictures by Mike Legeros and Michael Schon.