Salisbury Fire Chief Bob Parnell says the city’s four fire stations will fly their flags at half-staff Sunday as a way to participate in the 27th annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.
The stations are located at 514 E. Innes St., 2312 S. Main St., 1604 W. Innes St. and 2325 Statesville Blvd.
Every October, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation sponsors the memorial service, the official national tribute to all firefighters who died in the line of duty during the previous year.
Thousands attend the memorial weekend at the foundation’s headquarters in Emmitsburg, Md.
Flags also are lowered at half-staff at the U.S. Capitol Building, the White House and other federal buildings.
Citizens wishing to participate are encouraged to lower U.S. flags at their homes and businesses Sunday.
The Sunday ceremony in Emmitsburg will recognize 101 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2007.
A plaque with the names of the 101 firefighters will be added to those already surrounding the memorial, established in 1981. The memorial will now include the names of more than 3,200 firefighters.
Salisbury firefighters Victor Isler Sr. and Justin Monroe, who died in the March 7 fire at Salisbury Millwork, will be recognized in Emmitsburg next October.
North Carolina had eight firemen die in the line of duty in 2007.