Fallen Firefighter Memorial draws thousands to Memorial Park; Family, friends, colleagues grieve, reflect

At Memorial Park, Saturday, family, friends and colleagues joined a national honor guard complete with bagpipes and drums to memorialize 168 firefighters from the United States and Canada who died in the line of duty in 2013.

Rob Robertson is a 30-year veteran with a fire department in suburban Seattle. Robertson believes this annual event is a chance to reflect on the career he loves and a chance to remember those lost.

“It’s just difficult to say goodbye when somebody dies way before their turn,” Robertson said.

Albuquerque’s Brannon Porch played the bagpipes. He called his part in this ceremony a privilege.

“To come and honor all of these members who gave that ultimate sacrifice, is an unbelievable honor,” Porch said. “It’s almost impossible to put into words. Being able to play these pipes for them is the least I can do for what they’ve given to us.”

“You have to pay attention to your grief or it’s going to take you for a ride,” Robertson said. “You cannot outrun it. This helps us to heal.”