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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 7, 2007
President Bush Visits National Fallen Firefighters Memorial
National Fallen Firefighters Memorial
Emmitsburg, Maryland
10:38 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thanks for the warm welcome. David, thank you very much
for your introduction. Nothing better than being introduced by an old fire
chief. And I thank you for your service, Dave. It is such an honor to be
here. I was telling Laura on the phone -- she didn't make it, I apologize,
and so does she -- but I said I'm going down the hill -- I was up at Camp
David -- I'm going down the hill to be with some remarkable people and
their families, and to honor those who served. I said, I can't wait to go,
and to be in their midst, because I hold the firefighters in such high
regard; I have a deep respect in my soul for people who serve our
communities.
As David mentioned, far too often we go to sites that have been devastated
by natural disaster, for example. Every time the firefighters are there,
every time. It's clear that the people here who wear the uniform have a
different view of jurisdiction than a lot of our citizens. You know, from
New York after 9/11, to New Orleans after Katrina, there were firefighters
from around the country there to help. The bond between the firefighters
is obviously unique; it is definitely a source of strength. And it's a
reminder that the work here is a calling, not a job.
I want to thank the foundation for working hard to ensure that the families
of those who have died in -- are well treated. I want to tell you today
that the Hometown Heroes Act will be fully implemented. This program will
be administrated the way it was intended to be administrated. (Applause.)
That's the least we can do as we honor the families of those who have died
in the line of service.
I also am amazed at the compassion I see amongst those who wear the uniform
for their comrades. Anyway, thanks for having me. I'm sorry it's under
these circumstances that we have to be together. I hope our presence can
help heal your hearts just a little bit. I'm looking forward to giving you
a hug if you want a hug, or smiling for a picture if you want to smile for
a picture. But most of all, I'm looking forward to honoring your loved
ones.
I want to thank Steny Hoyer for joining us. He is -- he respects you like
I respect you, and he can pay tribute about as eloquently as anybody I have
heard. I appreciate Roscoe Bartlett -- he's the congressman from this
district -- for joining us, as well. I want to thank the Mayor of
Emmitsburg, Mayor Hoover, for joining us. I appreciate Chief Cade. I want
to thank my friend, Hal Bruno, who is the Chairman of the National Fallen
Firefighters Foundation. I want to thank the members of the board of
directors who are here. I appreciate you all coming.
You know, it takes a special kind of person to be a firefighter. It begins
with a different sense of direction. When an area becomes too dangerous
for everybody else, you take it over. When others are looking for the
exits, our firefighters are looking for the way in. When the frightened
occupants of a burning building are rushing down the stairwell, our
firefighters are going the opposite direction -- up the stairs, and toward
the flames.
And you wonder where people like this get their courage? I'm sure a lot of
it has to do with how they were raised, or the examples of other
firefighters in the communities in which they live. But the truth of the
matter is, that courage also comes from the community of firefighters. You
work as teams, share meals together. And when tragedy strikes, your
dedication to one another ensures that no family will ever have to face it
alone.
Your presence here is a sign of that camaraderie. I see grieving widows
sitting side-by-side with a firefighter in uniform -- it's the camaraderie
of respect and compassion. Today 91 new names go up on this memorial. It
is sometimes said of your fallen comrades that they lost their lives in the
line of duty. On this day, at this place, we say more accurately: The men
and women we honor are people who gave their lives in the line of duty.
We honor the service and sacrifices of firefighters like Kevin Apuzzio of
New Jersey. Kevin started his career at age 16 when he joined an emergency
medical unit. In college, he signed up for the East Franklin Volunteer
Fire Company. Kevin was killed when he was trying to rescue a 75-year-old
woman from her burning home. At Rutgers University, where Kevin was a
student, they have named a Public Safety Training Center after him. And
the president of the school put it simply: "We want people to know that a
hero walked on this campus."
We honor the service and sacrifice of firefighters like Amy
Schnearle-Pennywitt of Michigan. Amy grew up dreaming of being a
firefighter, and she achieved that dream. On a freezing morning in 2006,
the Ann Arbor Fire Department responded to a crash on an icy highway. And
Amy arrived on the scene, and then was fatally struck by a pickup truck
that had skidded out of control. In a tribute, the local newspaper called
firefighters like Amy the backbone of our society. I believe that, too.
The editorial put it this way: "We call them. And they come."
We honor the service and sacrifice of firefighters like Destry Horton.
Destry worked for two fire departments in Oklahoma -- the local department
in Chickasha, and the Grady County Fire Department. Destry was killed
because he gave up a day of golfing so he could to help his comrades
battling the wildfires in southern Oklahoma. He suffered terrible burns,
and those burns would take his life. I found it interesting that at his
funeral, a contingent of firefighters from New York showed up to pay their
respects. Here's what one of them said, he said, "It's sort of payback
from after [September] the 11th [when] we had firefighters from around
the world who came to show their support [for us]. This is a brother, and
we wanted to be here."
We are here this afternoon for the same reason. That's why we're here.
We're here for the friends and neighbors who risked their lives to keep us
safe. And we're here for the colleagues who answered a call and did not
come home. We're here for the brave moms and dads who left behind families
that now need our love and our strong support.
Families of our fallen firefighters have suffered a terrible loss. No
words can ease the ache in your hearts. At this difficult time, we will
try to help by taking you in our arms. We offer you our heartfelt and
sincere compassion. We hope it is some comfort to know that your loved
ones will live on forever in the memory of the communities they served so
well.
To the colleagues of those who have fallen: Your fellow firefighters knew
the risks when they took the oath of service. Take pride in the example
they have set. Honor their memory by carrying on the fine work that they
were so proud to do by your side.
And to all Americans: Across our great country, homes still stand and
families can go about their lives because firefighters put themselves in
harm's way to protect us. So when you walk by a firehouse or see an
ambulance on a street corner, take a moment to go up and say "thank you."
I ask my fellow Americans to pray for their safety, and pray that we live
lives worthy of the sacrifices made by those whose names we add to this
memorial today.
I appreciate you having me. I ask for the Almighty's blessings on you, and
may he continue to bless the United States of America. (Applause.)
END 10:50 A.M. EDT
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