Firefighters memorial adds names of 9-11 fallen

? In the shadow of Pikes Peak, the names of 343 firefighters who died at the World Trade Center have been added to the International Association of Fire Fighters Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial.

On Saturday, families, friends and colleagues gathered to remember those victims and other firefighters who have died in the line of duty.

“We must remember that they could be a serious bunch, but never took themselves too seriously. How easily they would laugh with one another in what we call firehouse humor, yet never forgetting how to weep when compassion was required,” said Harold A. Schaitberger, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

The ceremony was to honor 499 professional firefighters and paramedics killed in the line of duty, including 425 reported deaths from June 2001 to June 2002, and 74 deaths between June 2000 and June 2001. Last year’s ceremony was held only four days after Sept. 11, and many families were unable to attend due to travel restrictions after the attacks.