JACKSON, Tenn. – National Fallen Firefighters Memorial will be recognized on Sunday, October 3, 2021.
In accordance with Public Law 107-51, the American flag should be lowered to half-staff the first Sunday in October from sunrise to sunset. This half-staff is in observance of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
87 firefighters lost their lives in the line of duty since last year’s memorial. Regrettably, this is one of the most overlooked half-staff memorials, most likely due to the memorial being held on a Sunday. This includes the U.S. Capitol and the White House, as well as buildings in the local community.
“America's fallen fire heroes who died in the line of duty since last year's memorial will be honored at the 40th-annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend this Saturday and Sunday at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The names of 87 firefighters will become a permanent part of the national memorial in honor of their sacrifices,” said Jackson Fire Department Chief Darryl Samuels. “COVID-related line-of-duty deaths are now a factor in the tribute and will continue to be in the future. It is appropriate to honor and pay tribute to those fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
We encourage our local community to follow the Federal Government’s example of lowering all American flags to half-staff. When you lower your flag this year, you will recognize the brave men and women who died protecting their communities from natural and man-made emergencies and disasters and those who carry on the proud tradition.