EMMITSBURG, Md.-- Eight firefighters from Pennsylvania were honored Sunday at the 35th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
They are among the 79 firefighters who died in 2015 and 33 firefighters who died in previous years, who were remembered at the service.
Firefighter Jeffrey S. Buck, age 18, of the Lawrence Township Volunteer Fire Company #1, Clearfield County Station #5 died in a collapse during a residential structure fire on March 9, 2015.
Fire Police Captain John J. Doster, age 95, of the Edgely Fire Department #1, Inc. became ill while directing traffic at a 2-alarm warehouse fire and later died on April 2, 2015.
Lieutenant Patrick A. Nader, age 25, of the West Newton Volunteer Fire Company died on February 7, 2013, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident while responding to an emergency call in 2010.
Fire Police Lieutenant Curtis E. Nordsick Sr., age 71, of the Wrightsville Steam Engine and Hose Company #1 died after he assisted with traffic control at the scene of a homicide on April 19, 2015.
Fire Police Officer Louis Patti, age 67, of the Warwick Township Fire Co. No. 1 suffered a massive stroke after responding to a motor vehicle accident and later died on December 22, 2015.
Firefighter Timothy T. Peters, age 46, of the Pine Grove Hose, Hook, and Ladder Fire Co. No. 1 suffered a heart attack and died after he responded to an EMS call on April 30, 2015.
Firefighter Edward J. Roddy, age 48, of the Somerset Volunteer Fire Department suffered a heart attack at the scene of a garage fire and later died on February 22, 2015.
Firefighter William O. Sensenich, age 69, of the North Huntingdon Township, Circleville Volunteer Fire Department suffered a heart attack and died after he responded to a residential structure fire on June 9, 2015.
Their names will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial on the Academy grounds. The national tribute is sponsored by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Fire Administration.
Thousands attended the service, including families of the fallen firefighters, members of congress, Obama administration officials and other dignitaries.
"Those firefighters that are active and have lost one of their brothers or sisters are grieving just as much as the family members, and it's beneficial that it helps them to understand that someone will be here if they were to die in the line of duty to care for their families as well," says Ron Siarnicki, Executive Director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Families at the service received flags that were flown over the U.S. Capitol and the National Memorial. Members of the fire service, honor guard units and pipe and drum units from across the country took part in the national tribute.