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Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

In America, the fire service experiences a duty related death nearly every four days.

93 Fire Service personnel died in duty related incidents in 2009.

We honor the members of the Fire Service who have made the supreme sacrifice in the protection of their communities and those who have died in the service to our great nation in military actions, past and present.

Chicago Fire Department Line of Duty Deaths

Prior to becoming a paid fire department in 1858, the volunteers who protected the city experienced 12 duty related deaths.
 

Since becoming a paid department, the Chicago Fire Department has tragically lost more than 500 members. The actual number varies, based on information from different sources and changing criteria. The Gold Badge Society of the Chicago Fire Department recognizes 573 members and has memorialized those who have made the supreme sacrifice by focusing their efforts into creating the Chicago Firefighter and Paramedic Memorial Park. This park, located on the lakefront just North of 31st Street was dedicated on September 11, 2002. A tree has been planted for each of the fallen members. A maltese cross created of bricks, some of which contain the names of the fallen, adorns the grounds along with bronze sculptures of a pair of fire boots, helmet and a memorial bell. We encourage you to both support the efforts of the Gold Badge Society and visit the park.
 

The Chicago Fire Academy honors the fallen members by displaying the retired badges of those who have died in the line of duty. There is also a display of bronze sculptures created by Chicago Fire Department Firefighter/Paramedic John Alaniz to honor the Departments most recent losses. 

The Chicago Fire Academy is located at 558 West Dekoven, the former site of the O’Leary homestead (of The Great Chicago Fire fame).

9-11-2001

FDNY  

On September 11 2001, the lives of 343 members of the Fire Department New York (FDNY) were tragically lost while operating on the scene of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. 

Nearly nine years have passed since the vicious attacks. Sadly, many Americans have chosen to allow the memories of that tragic day fade. Personnel who operated on the scene at the World Trade Center continue to experience medical symptoms resulting from working in the rubble without protective equipment immediately following the collapses of the towers and in the weeks following the attack.

Each day, the members of the Fire Service remember the efforts of the brave men of the FDNY. We honor the memories of those who fell that day, and support the members who continue to feel the effects of their work to save the lives of their brothers and civilians alike.
 

United Flight 93

We honor the bravery of those who chose to fight against the terrorists who overtook United Airlines Flight 93. Plans have been made to create a memorial at the crash site. You may get more information here.

Pentagon

The Pentagon Memorial was completed and opened to the public on the seventh anniversary of the attacks, September 11, 2008. 

To honor the victims, 184 illuminated benches have been arranged according to the victim's ages, from 3 to 71, in a landscaped plot. Each bench is engraved with the name of a victim. The benches representing the victims that were inside the Pentagon are arranged so those reading the names will face the Pentagon's south facade, where the plane hit; benches dedicated to victims aboard the plane are arranged so that those reading the engraved name will be facing skyward along the path the plane traveled  When the Pentagon was repaired in 2001–2002, a private chapel and indoor memorial were included, located at the spot where Flight 77 crashed into the building

Armed Forces

Members of the United States Armed Forces have been deployed in both Afghanistan and Iraq in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001.

To date, 5,364 personnel have been killed in action and tens of thousands have suffered injuries at the hands of those who view the United States as a threat to their way of living.

We urge you to support our military personnel. Many national and community organizations currently have programs in place to provide personnel deployed overseas with both necessities and creature comforts cherished by the men and women who serve. Please support these groups with their efforts by making cash or material donations. These are just a few of the organizations with programs in place to support our servicemen and women.

If you are unable to support these organizations financially, you can still thank our servicemen and women by sending them an e-mail via the Department of Defense website.

     ALWAYS REMEMBER, FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.