Five Maryland Fallen Firefighters Among Those Being Honored on May 3-4, 2025.
EMMITSBURG, Md. – The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host the
44th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend on May 3-4, 2025 in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This year’s national tribute will honor 70 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2024 and 70 firefighters who died in previous years. The honorees will include the following Maryland firefighters:
Lieutenant Richard E. Blankenship Jr., age 47, of Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services, died on December 20, 2021, from complications of cancer.
Deputy Fire Chief William Francis Goddard III, age 70, of the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department, died on September 1, 2025, from complications of cancer.
Firefighter/Paramedic Robert A. “Bobby” Jones, age 62, of the Reese and Community Volunteer Fire Company, died on January 20, 2022, from complications of COVID-19.
Deputy Chief Craig E. Ralston, age 63, of the Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Department, died on February 3, 2022 from complications of COVID-19.
Michael Warfel, age 65, of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services, died March 20, 2018, from complications of cancer.
Detailed information about each of the 226 firefighters being memorialized can be found on the 2025 Roll of Honor.
“This weekend is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary courage and commitment of those who put their lives on the line to protect others,” said Troy Markel, Chair of the NFFF Board of Directors. “We come together not only to remember the fallen, but to stand in solidarity with their families and departments, letting them know their loved ones will never be forgotten.
“Each of these 140 firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others – a profound sacrifice that defines true heroism,” said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the NFFF. “Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to come together to honor their bravery, to stand beside their families, and ensure their legacy lives on in every community they so selflessly served.”
There are two events open to the public at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) during Memorial Weekend.
· The National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service is on May 3 at 7:30 pm ET and will be hosted by Fire Captain Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department.
· The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is on May 4 at 10:00 am ET and will be hosted by actor Jeremy Holm.
Fire service and government leaders are scheduled to address the thousands of attendees at the Memorial Service on Sunday, May 4. The NFFF will live stream both events on the NFFF’s website (firehero.org), YouTube channel, and Facebook page.
There are additional events during Memorial Weekend provided exclusively for the families and fire departments of honored firefighters. These include small group sessions and other activities throughout Friday and Saturday; they are open to the families and coworkers of newly honored and previously honored firefighters.
Schedule
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Candlelight Service
Time: 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm ET
Streaming begins at 7:00 pm ET
Sunday, May 4, 2025
Memorial Service
Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm ET
Streaming begins at 9:30 am ET
Location
National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park
National Emergency Training Center (NETC)
16835 S. Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727