The 2024 IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Ceremony honored the bravery and commitment of 308 members who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“We gather today as a family, to share this act of remembrance,” General President Edward Kelly said to a crowd of over 7,000. “Your loss is shared by us all; your grief, we hope, is lessened by all of us sharing our grief together. We come together today to say we remember, and we will never forget.”
This year’s ceremony commemorated 195 members who died between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023. It also honored 113 members whose deaths occurred prior to 2023 and have since been recognized as occurring in the line of duty.
The event featured Pipe and Drum Bands and Honor Guards from across the U.S. and Canada, bringing together participants in a powerful show of support.
We come together today to say we remember, and we will never forget.
General President Edward Kelly
“As we pay tribute to the sacrifice of 308 souls whose names are etched into these memorial walls, let’s rededicate our efforts to bring about the day when fewer and fewer fire fighters die too soon,” Kelly said. “A day when fewer families of future fire fighters endure the pain in every heart here today.”
Local 5 President Curt Crumb shared the emotional weight of this year’s ceremony. “This year, it is different for our Local,” he said. “We grieve with you as we have lost one of our own, Driver and Engineer Bobby Keese.”
Keese’s name was etched on the Wall of Honor, marking the first time in over a decade that a Local 5 fire fighter’s name has been added. “For us, not only does the memorial live here, but we feel like we are guardians of it,” said Local 5 Executive Board member and Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Coordinator Mike Smaldino. “When their loved ones’ names are etched into these walls, they know there is someone always watching over it.”
Families of the fallen
Dover Air Force Base, DE Local F-135 Fire Inspector and Captain Jeremy C. Lundgren died in the line of duty in 2023. This year, his name was etched on the memorial wall.
Jeremy’s daughter, Kinsleigh, reflected on her father’s memory: “He was always nice, funny, and would take care of people in need. When he died, he saved a lot of lives because he was an organ donor. I was sad at first, but my family helped me get through it, because I know he is always watching me.”
Jeremy’s mother, Lisa Chagnon, said having her son’s name added to the wall provides comfort during the family’s immense loss. “The brotherhood of the moms and children who lost someone in the line of duty means you don’t feel like you’re the only one,” Chagnon said. “Being here to see him represented on the Wall of Honor is amazing to all of us.”
When he died, he saved a lot of lives because he was an organ donor. I was sad at first, but my family helped me get through it, because I know he is always watching me.
Kinsleigh lundgren, daughter of fallen Local f-135 fire fighter
Kristen Pascall, who lost her husband, San Miguel, CA Local 1434’s Rick Pascall, to occupational cancer, shared her gratitude. “Local 5 did everything we didn’t know we needed,” she said. “I even asked if I can come back to volunteer. So many times, people come back to participate in the Honor Guard and the Pipes and Drums, and I don’t think they hear enough thank-yous for what that means.”
Rick Pascall was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in 2008 and died in 2010, just three weeks after celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary.
“This is the place I feel closest to him. We loved Yellowstone, and his ashes are there, but this is where I can see him, feel him, and touch him,” said Kristen. “Every year, I bring a white rose and a sunflower, our wedding flowers, and leave them there, along with a kiss in bright red lipstick on the wall. Being here is the most cathartic thing I can do for and with my husband and these people who are now my family.”
