In the heart of Milwaukee, a solemn tribute took place yesterday to honor the bravery and sacrifice of firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty last year. Near the Hoan Bridge, the Milwaukee Fire Department joined with community members and families in a memorial service that recognized the ultimate price paid by Wisconsin's firefighters in 2024. According to a report by WISN, the event coincided with the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, observed nationally from May 3-4.
The remembrance extended into the night as the iconic Hoan Bridge illuminated in red, symbolizing the valor and courage of these local heroes. A collaboration between the Milwaukee Fire Department, Light the Hoan, and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation made the tribute possible. FOX 6 Now highlighted that among the honored were firefighter Doran Kemp II, a 25-year veteran of the Milwaukee Fire Department, and Tyler Kreiter, who dedicated 17 years to the Green Bay Metro Fire Department.
The commemoration was part of a larger ceremony that took place in Emmitsburg, Md., on the same day, where a multitude of firefighters from across the nation were honored. Two Wisconsin firefighters, Dewin Berg of the North Prairie Fire Department and Assistant Chief Robert Stevens of the Fremont-Wolf River Fire Department, who succumbed to complications from COVID-19 in 2021 and 2022, were remembered at the service. The touching ceremony was not merely local but a part of an interconnected narrative of national mourning and respect for the profession's sacrifices. "The lives we honor today will be remembered not just today, but always," stated Troy Markel, Board Chair of the event, as reported by CBS 58. "We will speak their names. We will tell their stories. We will ensure their legacy of service, courage and dedication lives on in the generations to come."
