We Will Remember ... California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony 2008
Firefighters, family members and dignitaries from throughout California came together Saturday, October 18, 2008 in remembrance of those who paid the ultimate price to protect the lives and property of Californians.
In a solemn ceremony featuring a procession of uniformed firefighters, bagpipers and drummers, 26 firefighters who fell in the line of duty were added to the California Firefighters Memorial.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger addressed the crowd who gathered at Capitol Park to pay their respects.
"If you're looking for someone in American society to admire, you don't have to look far. You will find them right here, firefighters and their families," Schwarzenegger said. "The 1,063 names on the wall of this great memorial underscore the sacrifices that were made and the statue at the back shows the camaraderie engrained in their DNA."
Included among the names added to the Memorial was that of Dallas Jones, a giant in the fire service, who lost his noble fight with occupational cancer last May; Brent Lovrien, who died in a devastating explosion near Los Angeles International Airport; and two men whose deaths were linked to last summer's devastating sequence of lightning storms - Kevin Pryor of Newport Beach and Robert Roland of Anderson Valley.
"The 26 men we honor today are as much a part of California's heritage as the richly historic park in which we stand," said Lou Paulson, President of California Professional Firefighters and Chair of the California Fire Foundation. "As we honor their sacrifice, we take comfort that they will not be forgotten, and that their example will serve as a beacon, showing the meaning of honor, duty, commitment and courage."
