National Firefighters Memorial Weekend Video 2015

The 34st Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service will honor a Minnesota firefighter who died in the line of duty. He is among the 87 firefighters who died in 2014 and previous years who will be remembered at the official national service held at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland on Sunday, October 4.

Firefighter Ramon Edward "Ray" Hain of the Saint Paul FD died in 2009. In 1997, Ray was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and heart failure resulting from his job duties as a firefighter and EMT. In November 1998, he was the miraculous recipient of a heart transplant. In 2009, Ray became increasingly sick due to the deterioration of the transplanted heart and the toll of taking anti-rejection medications for years. Even though he was not able to return to the work that he loved, the transplant allowed his life to be extended for 11 more precious years that he shared fully with family and friends. During that time he spent many generous hours volunteering for his daughters' school and sports activities, as well as for his church and for others.

The names of those firefighters who died in the line of duty 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.

Watch the 2015 National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend videos here live.

• Candlelight Service Broadcast: Saturday, October 3, 2012 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time
  (Streaming Begins at 6:00 p.m.; Service Begins at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time)
  
• Memorial Service Broadcast: Sunday, October 4, 2012 9:30 am - 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time
  (Streaming Begins at 9:30 a.m.; Service Begins at 10 a.m. Eastern Time)
  

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On Sunday, October 4, 2011, the U.S. and other flags should be lowered to half-staff.

National: On October 16, 2001, President George W. Bush approved legislation requiring the American flag to be lowered to half-staff on all Federal buildings to memorialize fallen firefighters. Public Law 107-51 requires this action to occur annually in conjunction with observance of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

More on the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service and Weekend can be found at www.firehero.org/events/memorial-weekend/about/