SALISBURY — The families of Justin Monroe and Victor Isler, two firefighters who died while battling a 2008 fire at Salisbury Millworks, say the anniversary is a painful reminder but they are thankful that the community still remembers the two men.

Family and friends, area firefighters, law enforcement officers and community officials gathered Wednesday at the Salisbury-Rowan Firefighters Memorial to honor Monroe and Isler on the 10th anniversary of the fire.

“I live with this every day,” said Justin’s mother, Lisa. “I have pain every day of losing my son. It’s always hard on the anniversary, but I’m thankful for the support. It’s just a hard day. I can feel all the love and support I had today, which made it better.”

“It’s so special,” said Victoria Isler, the niece of Vic Isler. “It’s such an honor to be here and to be surrounded by the men and women that loved him.”

Employees at the woodworking business reported the fire about 7 a.m. after seeing flames. A few hours later, more than 100 firefighters locally and from across the region had worked to douse the massive fire. The fire began in an office in the basement of the building. A wall collapsed, trapping Monroe and Isler along with Capt. Rick Barkley.

Barkley, who survived in part by lying on a hose with a cut in it to cool off, received second- and third-degree burns. He made more than 20 mayday calls, but radio communication was spotty. The men were rescued by a Rapid Intervention Team that included Locke Fire Chief Rusty Alexander and Assistant Chief Bradley McKnight, both of whom were also injured.

Monroe, 19, who was a firefighter with the city of Salisbury, was also a volunteer with Spencer Fire Department and a lieutenant with Millers Ferry Fire Department. He started his career as a junior firefighter.

Isler, 40, was a volunteer in Long Island‚ New York for many years and worked for the New York Fire Department as an EMT. He assisted at ground zero after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. He fulfilled his dream of becoming a professional firefighter with the Salisbury Fire Department.

“They were loved by so many,” Pastor Mike Motley said Wednesday.

He said Monroe and Isler’s deaths left an empty place in the hearts of many in the community.

“We are left with memories, memories that we hold precious,” Motley said.

He said it’s hard to believe that 10 years have passed since the men died.

“I promise you, they are remembered today, always,” Motley said.

He recalled seeing people along the route as the firetrucks brought Monroe and Isler’s bodies back to Salisbury.

Aftermath

Division Chief Deborah Horne spoke to the crowd about how the tragic loss of Monroe and Isler affected her. Horne said eight months after the fire, she was angry all the time. It took an angry encounter with now-retired Emergency Services Director Frank Thomason to lead her to a path of recovery.

She had a meeting with Thomason, left his office angry and slammed the door. She heard the glass break but kept going out of the building and got into her car intent on driving with no destination in mind.

Retired Chief Tom Murphy called her back, and she knew she was being fired. Thomason told Horne she had two weeks off to “work on yourself.”

Murphy told Horne she had an appointment the next night with a Christian counselor. She said the men were her heroes that day. They helped her move forward when she was stuck.

“God showed up one day. God can show up for you,” she said.

“Today is the 10th anniversary, but let it be the first day of recovery, rebooting and reformation,” Horne said. “Let’s exchange our brokenness for his righteousness.”

East Spencer Assistant Fire Chief Teon Robinson recalled helping battle the mill fire 10 years ago.

“It was a game changer for a lot of us in the way that we train, in the way that we communicate. A lot of that dictated how we operate today,” Robinson said.

He said when he goes to the Salisbury Fire Station on East Innes Street, there’s often a reminder of both Monroe and Isler, whose lockers are at the firehouse.

After a post-incident report revealed some of the problems the men trapped in the building faced as well as those on the outside who tried to rescue them, the city made some changes. They included the purchase of radios that were able to withstand certain fire conditions.

Former South Salisbury Fire Chief Cory Orbison and firefighter Mike McNeill were both at Station No. 2 when the call for assistance in the fire rang out. Both men said Wednesday morning’s weather reminded them of that overcast day 10 years ago.

“It never gets any easier,” he said of the 10-year memorial service.

Graison McCorkle, 16, was about 6 when Monroe died. Their families went hunting together. McCorkle, who is a firefighter with Ellis Cross Country, recalled a hunting trip with Justin and recently found a picture of himself sitting on Monroe’s shoulders on a hunting trip.

Blaine Shellhorn, 16, recalled his grandfather talking about the mill fire.

“It’s like losing a loved one,” he said of Monroe.

He said Isler and Monroe’s deaths certainly are a reminder of the dangers that come with firefighting.

Family

Victoria Isler said she was 13 when her uncle died. He was doing what he loved, she said.

“He came here to fulfill his dream,” Victoria said.

“The Fire Department and the whole community have been so loving and kind to our family,” she said. “We gained a second family in losing our own.”

She said she is thankful to know others mourn her uncle’s loss and have remembered him and Monroe.

“I will always have a connection to the Fire Department because of my son,” said Lisa Monroe. “Just like they said, it’s not a job that everybody wants to do. It’s amazing for me personally that my son still touches so many people’s lives.”

During the ceremony, Mayor Al Heggins announced that the city will honor the two firefighters by naming the new Salisbury Fire Station No. 6 after them. The station will be west of U.S. 29 on Cedar Springs Road.

Monroe said she was aware that naming the station for Vic and Justin was a possibility but had no idea until the ceremony that it was a reality.

“I’m very honored. My son was a very humble person. He would be amazed at the things that have been done to remember him,” she said.

She’s also proud of the sixth annual Justin Monroe and Victor Isler Memorial Benefit Skeet Shoot. It begins Friday and ends Saturday at the Rowan County Wildlife and Gun Club, 650 Majolica Road. The proceeds will benefit the N.C. Fallen Firefighters Fund.

For more information, visit www.memorialskeetshoot.com.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.