WASHINGTON — Thousands of firefighters from around the country will gather in Emmitsburg, Maryland, at Mount Saint Mary’s University, for the annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.
They will honor 75 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2016. In addition, 20 other firefighters who gave their lives will be remembered as well.
This year’s memorial service carries extra weight locally, as Prince George’s County firefighters honor one of their own who was killed in the line of duty.
In April 2016, John “Skillet” Ulmschneider was shot and killed while responding to a wellness call.
“It really concludes a very long period of time for the family, the survivors, the members of the Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department,” said spokesman Mark Brady.
Memorial events will be held throughout the weekend, including special programs for family members and firefighters.
“A lot of Skillet’s family will be with us,” Brady said.
A candle light vigil will also be held Saturday night, but the main event is the actual memorial service on Sunday morning.
The service is typically held at the National Fire Academy every year, but moved locations this year due to forecasts of rain.
“The family will receive a flag that was flown over the US Capitol,” Brady said. “Prince George’s County Fire Chief Ben Barksdale will be there and will be presenting the flag to Dawn and Abigail, Skillet’s wife and daughter.”
He calls Ulmschneider’s death “a tremendous loss. Within our department, we’re still feeling that loss. (We) still feel that impact of losing a firefighter in the line of duty.”
The firefighters being honored will go on the memorial wall, marked by a bronze plaque.
Their colleagues will be dressed in their dress blue uniforms, in a service full of pomp and circumstance.
Joining Ulmschneider on that wall is also Timothy McClanahan, who grew up in Vienna, Virginia, before moving to Delaware as a teenager. The 46-year-old was a member of the Lewes Fire Department when he was killed in a training exercise last year.
