Each year, the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation (NFFF) sponsors a tribute to all firefighters who died in the line of duty during the previous year.

“We’re not honoring these firefighters for the way they died, we’re honoring them for the way they lived,” said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of NFFF.

This was the organizations 43rd annual memorial weekend, wrapping up with a memorial service this morning in Emmitsburg, Maryland. 

“It’s been an experience I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” said Chris Skrekla, president of the Fuller Hose Fire Company in North East.

89 firefighters died in the line of duty in 2023; including North East local Shawn Giles.

“It was exhausting,” said Adele Burnett-Giles, “but it was nice to be around others who are experiencing the same thing. That day to day… the loss.”

Giles was killed last August when a car crashed into him while he was giving traffic support.

“I think we all come to the firehouse every day trying to fill his shoes. He was a very large individual,” said Skrekla, with a quiet smile, "and he did a lot for the department."

The core of the tribute weekend is inviting all family members to come down so they can participate in a weekend of closure, connection, and healing.

“The most touching was receiving the flag. When they give you the flag, and then they give you the badge with his name on it,” described Adele.

Across the nation, communities are encouraged to also honor and remember lives lost.

“I really was trying to encourage the ‘light it up red’,” said Adele. "So we did a fantastic job, which I obviously couldn’t have done without the community. They really rallied behind me. So next year I hope to make it bigger and better. So look out north east and surrounding area cause here I come.”

With this memorial weekend finished, she hopes to be more diligent in being an activist.

“Bring it to awareness, let people do realize, make them realize that somebody did lose their life,” said Adele. "Like I said, the awareness. And then let's not forget. We don’t want to forget them.”

This year, there were an additional 137 firefighters remembered from previous years.

The foundation is recognizing cancer and other fatal illnesses as correlated to a firefighter’s life of service, and going back to give full honor to all.