It was a tribute to the brave men and women who helped save lives all over Canada and the United States. Lethbridge Emergency Services held a memorial today honouring their fallen brothers and sisters. As they marched down the streets this morning there was pride in their hearts. Remembering the victims of 9/11, along with firefighters who passed away in the line of duty over the past year. Lethbridge Fire Department Captain Brent Shelton appreciated the opportunity to remember the past.
“It’s for the members of the fire service to come together on one particular day to remember those who have fallen that we’ve worked with that are considered family.”
With dignitaries and firefighters looking on. The ceremony proceeded with poetry, the singing of ‘O’ Canada’, and later the laying of the wreathes. A part Lethbridge Fire Chief Brian Cornforth was proud to be a part of.
“The moment I step back and salute, I’m saluting those that we’ve lost and the families that remain behind and those of us that have lost our friends in the fire service,” he said.
One family who was deeply impacted at the service was the Heaton’s. They lost loved one, firefighter Clifford Heaton years ago and come to memorials annually to show their support. His grandson Daniel believes these cermeonies make a difference for the families.
“These events are truly amazing for us as families to participate and a thank you for all of our family members who provide services to the city of Lethbridge.”
Perhaps the most powerful moment of the ceremony came when firefighters read out the names of every man and women in Canada and the United States who lost their lives in the line of duty. 147 consecutive names, each answered by the ring of a bell. An idea Daniel Heaton believes was executed to perfection.
“The part that really resonated with me was all the names that were read out today. And I just think about all the families behind them and those people have always put their lives on the line for all of us.”
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