EMMITSBURG, Md. – The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host the 44th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend on May 3-4 in Emmitsburg, Md.
This year’s national tribute will honor 70 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2024 and 70 firefighters who died in previous years. The honorees will include the following Indiana firefighters:
• Firefighter Kenneth Dwight Caldwell, 63, of the LaCrosse Volunteer Fire Department, died June 6, 2024, of a heart attack after responding to a field fire.
• Capt. James M. Hathaway, 52, of the City of Muncie Fire Department, died March 8, 2024, due to complications of cancer, deemed by the state of Indiana to be a line-of-duty death.
• Firefighter Michael E. Kreps Jr., 54, of the Dunkirk Fire Department, died Oct. 16, 2021, due to complications of COVID-19.
• Firefighter Rodrick Shane Lambert, 52, of the Wayne Township Fire Department, died Aug. 10, 2024, due to complications of an injury suffered when his apparatus overturned on May 23, 1995.
• Firefighter Jacob Tyler McClanahan, 24, of the Ramsey Volunteer Fire Department, died May 16, 2022, due to multiple gunshot wounds after stopping to render aid to an incident on a state highway.
• Firefighter Ralph F. Meyer, 72, of the Napoleon Volunteer Fire Company, died Dec. 4, 2024, from a heart attack after responding to a structure fire on Dec. 3, 2024.
• Engineer Richard C. Potter, 52, of the Wayne Township Fire Department, died May 10, 2022, due to complications of cancer, deemed by the state of Indiana to be a line-of-duty death.
• Firefighter Rick Sanders, 48, of the Winchester Fire Department, died Dec. 12, 2024, from a heart attack while battling a residential fire.
Detailed information about each of the 226 firefighters being memorialized can be found on the 2025 Roll of Honor at https://www.firehero.org/2025-roll-of-honor/.
“This weekend is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary courage and commitment of those who put their lives on the line to protect others,” said Troy Markel, chair of the NFFF Board of Directors. “We come together not only to remember the fallen, but to stand in solidarity with their families and departments, letting them know their loved ones will never be forgotten.”
“Each of these 140 firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others – a profound sacrifice that defines true heroism,” said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the NFFF. “Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to come together to honor their bravery, to stand beside their families and ensure their legacy lives on in every community they so selflessly served.”
There are two events open to the public at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) during Memorial Weekend.
The National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service is May 3 at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be hosted by Fire Capt. Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department.
The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is May 4 at 10 a.m. ET and will be hosted by actor Jeremy Holm.
Fire service and government leaders are scheduled to address the thousands of attendees at the Memorial Service on Sunday, May 4. The NFFF will live stream both events on the NFFF’s website (firehero.org), YouTube channel and Facebook page.
There are additional events during Memorial Weekend provided exclusively for the families and fire departments of honored firefighters. These include small group sessions and other activities throughout Friday and Saturday; they are open to the families and coworkers of newly honored and previously honored firefighters.
Those not attending Memorial Weekend in person can also pay tribute to this year’s honored firefighters. All can participate in Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters (April 27- May 4) by lighting their homes, businesses, landmarks, or fire departments with red lights. Other ways to remember include Bells Across America, Sound the Sirens and by signing a virtual Remembrance Banner.
In addition, the American flag will be lowered to half-staff on all Federal buildings on Sunday, May 4. The public is also encouraged to lower their American flags that day to recognize the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.