Last Sunday, the fire service gathered at the Fallen Firefighter Memorial site on the Minnesota State Capitol grounds for the annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service. This service honors and remembers the state’s firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The service was moving (as it always is) with the procession of colors accompanied by bagpipes and drums, followed by the national anthem sung a cappella.
There were formal remarks from Commissioner of Public Safety John Harrington and International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) President Gary Ludwig. Chief Ludwig spoke of a new IAFC initiative to reduce fatal heart attacks in the fire service called: “If you don’t feel well, don’t make it your farewell.” It seems almost weekly we read about a firefighter suffering a fatal heart attack at work, or after a call, who reported not feeling well but did not seek immediate medical evaluation. We will continue to follow this program as the IAFC rolls it out.
The service continued with a placement of wreaths and the addition of two previous line-of-duty deaths that had not been recognized. They were Francis Edey from the St. Paul Fire Department who died in 1900, and Robert Maki from the Keewatin Fire Department who died in 1973. Fortunately, Minnesota did not have any new line-of-duty deaths in the last year.
Wayzata Fire Chief Kevin Klapprich spoke as a returning survivor. He shared about the line-of-duty death of his brother, David Klapprich, in 2006. David was also a member of the Wayzata Fire Department, and Kevin reflected on how much the support of the fire service meant to their family.
The president of the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs’ association, Chief John Cunningham, spoke about the importance of the day for remembrance. This was followed by the tolling of the bell, taps, and the benediction. The colors were retired and the sound of the bagpipes playing “Amazing Grace” seemed to float over the Capitol grounds.
I thank the Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial Association for all they do and for this important annual service.
Up next: Fall Police Workshops — Beyond the Training and Presentations
Stay safe,
Rob
