(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Thousands of family members and firefighters from across the country, mourning the loss of their loved ones, will gather at Memorial Park on Saturday, Sept. 20.
The Fallen Firefighters Memorial Remembrance Ceremony will be on Saturday, starting at 10 a.m.
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) said 2025’s ceremony will honor the names of 311 firefighters lost in the line of duty over the last year, with some names added from previous years. The ceremony honors all line-of-duty deaths, including those who died on scene or succumbed to occupational illnesses such as heart disease, COVID-19, suicide, and occupational cancer, which the IAFF said is the leading cause of death in the fire service.
Organizers said they are expecting about 3,000 honor guard and 7,500 people at the service
“You start to develop these relationships. I’ve had the opportunity to watch the kids that lost their parents at 911. Their kids are grown now. They’ve gone to medical school, they’ve gone to college, and they’re still coming back,” said Chris Weaver, Colorado Springs Fire Fighters Local 5. “They’re still helping out at this memorial. And as you build those relationships, man, it becomes pretty important to us every year.
Firefighters will also hold a service in downtown on Friday night, Sept. 19, between Pikes Peak and Colorado Avenues involving 180 bagpipers.
The Wall of Honor has the names of 9,535 firefighters dating back to 1918 etched on a series of polished granite stones at Memorial Park.