By Chief Michael L. Kuk, PhD – Firehouse.com
In the 4th edition of the NFPA’s “Fire Department Terminology” book, published in 1970, there is a definition posted on page 25 that should bring interest to many of us in the fire service.
That definition is noted as “Firemen’s Memorial Sunday”. Further reading of the definition notes the wording: “The second Sunday in June on which memorial services are conducted for deceased fire fighters and their graves decorated.”
The history here is well established and goes back approximately 300 years on the North American continent. Early America was built almost entirely of wood, as the wilderness produced a seemingly endless supply of timber. The growth of large cities, with little regulation of the combustible construction, saw to the development of organized bodies of men and machines to deal with the constant threat of fire.
Volunteer, part-paid, and fully paid fire departments came about, and without question, stood against serious fires and the always present concern of a potential conflagration. Their early apparatus consisted of hand drawn pieces. Hand-tubs and hose reels came first, followed by steam fire engines, horse drawn hose carriages, hook’n’ladder trucks, and chemical companies. The great cities even sported water towers, searchlight companies, squads, and fire boats on their respective rosters.
If one would review the early histories and journals of many fire departments of a young America back then, one would find mention of firefighters being killed in the line of duty. Their deaths back then parallel what still claims the lives of today’s personnel.
There are also writings of active duty members who fell to other fire service related diseases and injuries. Sometimes they lingered for months that turned into years before they passed on. Many of them were very devoted members of their fire companies, and were sorely missed from their rosters. Close friendships abounded in these tightly woven fire departments.
Some larger departments secured and established a special section of a local cemetery just for firefighter internments. In a number of cities, both large and small, special funds were raised for this cause. These funds permitted the construction of a memorial statue and other permanent pieces of artwork to enhance the overall site of burial.
The second weekend of June became a good time to hold and conduct memorial services for each department’s missing members. School was out for the summer, crops were planted, and the overall spirit of the firefighting community was lifted, as the early summer weather brought a renewal of life to everyone.
Firemen’s musters were also starting to get underway. It was not uncommon for whole communities to come and watch the various events of their local firemen. Hose and ladder drills, the fastest individual fire company turnout time, the best appearing fire apparatus, and the best-dressed uniformed fire company always drew a crowd of onlookers.
Since there was a collection of fire service personnel already assembled, the idea came about to add a memorial service to the closing of this timeframe. This became a solemn time to reflect and remember everyone’s teammates and friends. Thus, it was ideal for these early smoke-eaters to designate the second Sunday of June as that honored time of ceremony and remembrance.
Our tradition, ritual, and customs of the American firefighting profession has deep roots and strongly includes our memorial services. Today’s fire service membership is surrounded by improved technology that has greatly increased the efficiency of the profession. Yet we still speak the basic language of what this all means to us.
We truly stand on the shoulders and graves of those who fought fire well before us in our time.
It is only fitting that we remember their sacrifice, courage, and devotion to duty.
PICTURED: Standing in front of the Louisiana State Firefighter Memorial in Baton Rouge are Assistant Chief John Saucier, Chief Michael L. Kuk, Ph.D., and Captain Lindsey Saucier. John Saucier and his son Lindsey performed music during the annual memorial ceremony, with John serving as a guitarist and vocalist and Lindsey playing lead guitar. Kuk, a founding participant in the ceremony since 2005, serves as both a musician and protocol advisor, performing on keyboards and Zydeco accordion. The memorial is located on the grounds of the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office on the east side of the Louisiana State Police complex.
Michael L. Kuk retired as fire chief for the Joint Readiness Training Center and U.S. Army Garrison at Fort Polk. In his more than 60 years of fire service experience, he also led volunteer, combination, industrial and federal fire departments, with 50 years of chief officer tenure. A U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, Kuk has been a published fire service author since 1972, including his book “An Army Firefighter in Vietnam 1970–1971,” which tells his military service story. He is a lifetime member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Kuk can be reached at combatfirefighter.com.