Three fallen Kentucky firefighters to be honored at National Memorial service

EMMITSBURG, Md. (WTVQ) – Three firefighters from Kentucky who died in the line of duty will be honored at the 40th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend from Saturday, Oct. 2 through Sunday, Oct. 3 at the National Fire Academy Campus.

In honor of their sacrifices, 215 firefighters’ names will become a part of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial permanently. Those from Kentucky include Firefighter James Settles of the Stanely Volunteer Fire Department, Training Officer Johnnie Jessie of the Greensburg/Green County Volunteer Fire Department and Lieutenant Dale Brown of the Covington Fire Department.

For a complete list of the firefighters being honored, go to www.firehero.org.

COVID-related line-of-duty deaths will now factor in the tribute and will continue to in the future.

On Saturday evening, the families of fallen firefighters from across the nation will come together for a Candlelight Service. During the ceremony, a plaque with the names of the fallen heroes will be added to the memorial.

Sunday morning, the families will participate in the Memorial Service where the nation will honor their loved ones’ sacrifices.

In 2020, 87 firefighters died in the line of duty. In 2019, 82 gave their lives. Also honored will be 46 firefighters who passed away in the line of duty in previous years.

Each family will be presented with an American flag by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to be flown over the memorial and the U.S. Capitol.

The annual weekend was cancelled last year due to COVID-19. Now, this year’s event will still be in-person, but closed to the public with only families attending along with staff and volunteers.

The services will be livestreamed for those wanting to watch.

Additionally, communities across the U.S. will light up landmarks in “RED”, including buildings, bridges, fire stations, and homes as part of the Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters program. On Sunday, the National Memorial Service begins with bells ringing across the land through our Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters program.

For more information on how to take part in these programs, visit www.firehero.org.