Area Firefighters Among Those To Be Honored This Weekend
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host the
44th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend on May 3-4, 2025 in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This year’s national tribute will honor 70 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2024 and 70 firefighters who died in previous years. The honorees will include the following South Carolina firefighters:
Firefighter Landon Cale Bodie, age 18, and Chief Chad Satcher, age 53, of the Circle Fire Department – Saluda County Fire Service, died on September 27, 2024, when a tree fell on the cab of their fire apparatus during a response to a call related to Hurricane Helene.
Chief Chad Satcher, age 53, and Firefighter Landon Cale Bodie, age 18, of the Circle Fire Department – Saluda County Fire Service, died on September 27, 2024, when a tree fell on the cab of their fire apparatus during a response to a call related to Hurricane Helene.
Engineer Michael “Mike Mike” Vinson, age 27, of the Clinton Fire Department, died on March 31, 2024, died in an apparatus accident on the way to a medical call.
Detailed information about each of the 226 firefighters being memorialized can be found on the 2025 Roll of Honor.
“This weekend is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary courage and commitment of those who put their lives on the line to protect others,” said Troy Markel, Chair of the NFFF Board of Directors. “We come together not only to remember the fallen, but to stand in solidarity with their families and departments, letting them know their loved ones will never be forgotten.
“Each of these 140 firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others – a profound sacrifice that defines true heroism,” said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the NFFF. “Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to come together to honor their bravery, to stand beside their families, and ensure their legacy lives on in every community they so selflessly served.”
There are two events open to the public at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) during Memorial Weekend.
The National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service is on May 3 at 7:30 pm ET and will be hosted by Fire Captain Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department.
The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is on May 4 at 10:00 am ET and will be hosted by actor Jeremy Holm.
Fire service and government leaders are scheduled to address the thousands of attendees at the Memorial Service on Sunday, May 4. The NFFF will live stream both events on the NFFF’s website (firehero.org), YouTube channel, and Facebook page.
There are additional events during Memorial Weekend provided exclusively for the families and fire departments of honored firefighters. These include small group sessions and other activities throughout Friday and Saturday; they are open to the families and coworkers of newly honored and previously honored firefighters.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host the
44th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend on May 3-4, 2025 in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This year’s national tribute will honor 70 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2024 and 70 firefighters who died in previous years. The honorees will include the following South Carolina firefighters:
Firefighter Landon Cale Bodie, age 18, and Chief Chad Satcher, age 53, of the Circle Fire Department – Saluda County Fire Service, died on September 27, 2024, when a tree fell on the cab of their fire apparatus during a response to a call related to Hurricane Helene.
Chief Chad Satcher, age 53, and Firefighter Landon Cale Bodie, age 18, of the Circle Fire Department – Saluda County Fire Service, died on September 27, 2024, when a tree fell on the cab of their fire apparatus during a response to a call related to Hurricane Helene.
Engineer Michael “Mike Mike” Vinson, age 27, of the Clinton Fire Department, died on March 31, 2024, died in an apparatus accident on the way to a medical call.
Detailed information about each of the 226 firefighters being memorialized can be found on the 2025 Roll of Honor.
“This weekend is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary courage and commitment of those who put their lives on the line to protect others,” said Troy Markel, Chair of the NFFF Board of Directors. “We come together not only to remember the fallen, but to stand in solidarity with their families and departments, letting them know their loved ones will never be forgotten.
“Each of these 140 firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others – a profound sacrifice that defines true heroism,” said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the NFFF. “Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to come together to honor their bravery, to stand beside their families, and ensure their legacy lives on in every community they so selflessly served.”
There are two events open to the public at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) during Memorial Weekend.
The National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service is on May 3 at 7:30 pm ET and will be hosted by Fire Captain Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department.
The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is on May 4 at 10:00 am ET and will be hosted by actor Jeremy Holm.
Fire service and government leaders are scheduled to address the thousands of attendees at the Memorial Service on Sunday, May 4. The NFFF will live stream both events on the NFFF’s website (firehero.org), YouTube channel, and Facebook page.
There are additional events during Memorial Weekend provided exclusively for the families and fire departments of honored firefighters. These include small group sessions and other activities throughout Friday and Saturday; they are open to the families and coworkers of newly honored and previously honored firefighters.
