Governor Walz Orders Flags Flown at Half-Staff for Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day
ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Tim Walz signed a proclamation declaring Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day to be observed on Sunday, September 29, 2019. In honor of fallen firefighters, the Governor has also directed all United States and Minnesota flags at federal and state buildings to be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on September 29.
“Our firefighters put their lives on the line every single day to protect us, our loved ones, and our communities,” said Governor Walz. “This day recognizes the sacrifice of firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty, and the courage of those who continue to serve.”
On average, 100 firefighters lose their lives in the line of duty in the United States each year.
Governor Walz proclamation reads as follows:
WHEREAS: On October 16th, 2001, President George W. Bush signed legislation requiring that the United States flag be lowered to half-staff on all federal buildings to memorialize fallen firefighters; and
WHEREAS: Public Law 107-51 requires this action to occur annually in conjunction with the observance of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service; and
WHEREAS: Minnesota Senate File 237 was unanimously passed by the Legislature and signed into law on May 15th, 2009, creating Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day; and
WHEREAS: The Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association, Minnesota State Fire Department Association, and Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters Association support this act of recognition and believe it honors their goal of bringing every firefighter home safely at the end of every shift; and
WHEREAS: On average, 100 firefighters make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty each year in the United States; and
WHEREAS: Every day, the volunteer, paid-on-call, and career firefighters in nearly 800 Minnesota fire departments protect the lives and property of our citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, TIM WALZ, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim Sunday, September 29, 2019 as: MINNESOTA FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL DAY in the State of Minnesota, and do hereby order all United States flags and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the State of Minnesota, from sunrise until sunset on Sunday, September 29th, 2019, in honor of firefighters who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty.