CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The memories of three firefighters who gave the ultimate sacrifice were remembered Sunday afternoon at the annual West Virginia Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service at the firefighter statue outside the state Culture Center in Charleston.
Wreaths were laid in honor of Charleston Fire Department Captain Oscar Thaxton who died on a call in 1922 and Pratt Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Tom Craigo and Assistant Chief Mikey Edwards who died in a fire truck crash on the way to an emergency call on March 24.
“Whether you were on the call or not on the call you were waiting to see what happened,” Chuck Runyon of the West Virginia Firemen’s Association told the crowd gathered for the memorial service.
Two members of the Pratt VFD laid a wreath wrapped in a yellow ribbon to in remembrance of Craigo and Edwards. Family members placed roses at the bottom of the firefighter statue.
Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper promised continued support for the department.
“I cannot tell you in words just how grateful we are and we miss your family members very, very much,” Carper said.
State Fire Marshal Ken Tyree urged the first responders in the crowd to remember the pride, honor and integrity that Craigo, Edwards and Thaxton had.
“So we’ll continue forth in our service one to another,” Tyree said.