East Whiteland Volunteer Fire Association

Firefighters from across the country gathered at Mount St. Mary's University on Sunday morning for a memorial service

Bagpipers and drummers proceed in during the memorial service.

Bagpipers stand at the ready before the Memorial Service

Honor Guard Members form a Sea of Blue and a human chain to escort the survivors into the memorial

Honor Guard Members from across the country stand at attention

The National Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Emmitsburg

A candle vigil was held on Saturday night in Daughters of Charity Basilica, a forced move from the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial due to the government shut down.

Honor Guard members stand at attention around the clock at the hotel where the survivors were housed.

East Whiteland's own Public Information Officer Michael Schon, with Roanoke Fire Dept's Willie Wines Jr and Rhett Fleitz (who also run ironfiremen.com firecritic.com)

PIO Michael Schon working hard behind the scenes

The plaque that will be mounted at the National Memorial with the names of all the firefighters killed in the line of duty in 2012

Honor Guard preparing to present a folded flag, rose, and badge to the families of those killed in the line of duty

Honor guard members present a folded flag, badge, and rose to the young daughter of a fallen hero


By Public Information Officer Michael Schon
October 6, 2013

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.