EMMITSBURG, MD — . A national ceremony is ensuring that two West Virginia firefighters who died on duty last year are not being forgotten.
West Virginia Division of Forestry Firefighter Cody Mullens and Capon Valley Volunteer Firefighter Ronald “Ron” Strosnider were among the 226 fallen heroes being honored Sunday during the 43rd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Actor Jeremy Holm hosted the event that’s put on by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF).
“It is through you keeping their memory that they live on, seeing them through your eyes enables us to remember them too,” Holm said at the ceremony Sunday addressing the thousands of loved ones in attendance.
“The mark they made on your lives, their communities, and the world will be felt forever,” continued Holm.
Mullens, 28, lost his life on April, 13, 2023 while fighting a wildland fire in Fayette County when a tree fell and killed him.
Strosnider, 75, was responding to a emergency medical call in Wardensville on Oct. 20, 2023 when he fell ill. He went into cardiac arrest while being taken to the hospital. Strosnider’s cause of death was determined to be sinus bradycardia.
The West Virginia firefighters names were read in a role of honor Sunday, along with the other names of fallen firefighters across the country.
Of the 226 of them being honored, 89 firefighters died in 2023, and the 137 had died in the previous years.
U.S Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrelll was a speaker at Sunday’s event. She was joined by the World Fire Congress International Delegates.
“The loss of any firefighter is tragic, but to lose so many and to have so many families left behind is truly heartbreaking,” Moore-Merrell said. “We’re here today to honor each one of your individual losses, we honor how they stepped up to serve their community , and how you will do the same.”
During the role of honor, each family was presented with a badge inscribed with the name of their fallen firefighter, a red rose, and a special American flag.
Moore-Merrell said each fallen firefighter died with honor serving a duty they saw with passion.
“Many were drawn to the unknown adventure of what that next call may be, but whatever their inspiration, becoming a firefighter made it a personal commitment,” Moore-Merrell said.
Also speaking at Sunday’s service was the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Deanne Criswell. She is the first confirmed woman to serve in this role.
Criswell said their lives were full of bravery and commitment.
“Our brothers, our mothers, and friends, by being here today we bare witness to the strength of their character, their commitment to service, and their unfailing sense of duty,” Criswell said.
The National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service was held prior to the event on Saturday night as part of the memorial weekend.