President greets families of firefighters.

President Bush Honors Fallen Firefighters
President greets families of firefighters in Emmitsburg
Originally published October 08, 2007

By Ashley Andyshak
News-Post Staff

EMMITSBURG - President George W. Bush consoled the families of firefighters who died in the line of duty last year during an annual memorial service Sunday.

Bush greeted each of the families of the 87 firefighters who died in 2006 as their names were added to the Roll of Honor at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial Park.

Bush is the only president to attend the annual ceremony since its inception in 1981. He also attended in 2001.

The president promised the audience that the Hometown Heroes Act, established in 2003, will be "fully implemented" for the families.

The act ensures that a public safety officer who suffers a fatal heart attack or stroke while on duty is presumed to have died in the line of duty, making the family eligible for associated survivor benefits.

Nearly half of those honored Sunday suffered heart attacks while responding to calls or shortly thereafter.

"It's the least we can do as we honor the families of those who died in the line of service," he said.

Bush said he was privileged to be at the service Sunday to honor those who had given their lives for others.

Firefighters have a "different sense of direction," Bush said. "While others are looking for the exits, they are looking for a way in."

National Fire Prevention Week began Sunday, and Bush encouraged the audience to personally thank their local emergency response personnel and to pray for their safety.

With those added Sunday, the Roll of Honor now includes more than 3,100 names, said Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator David Paulison.

Those at Sunday's service saw a new statue, called "To Lift A Nation," that depicts three firefighters raising an American flag over the rubble caused by the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The statue, created by sculptor Stan Watts, will be formally dedicated Nov. 5.

The Westboro Baptist Church, a Kansas-based anti-gay activist group, protested across the street from Memorial Park before the service began Sunday morning. The service was one of four locations the group chose for demonstrations this weekend in Frederick County.

The Frederick County Sheriff's Office did not report any incidents involving the group.