Two Moncton firefighters recently travelled to Colorado Springs to help honour one of their own.

They took part in the annual IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial held on the third Saturday of September at the National Monument for the International Association of Firefighters.

Fire Prevention Officer Brian Parker attended with Lieutenant Jeremy Quillian.

“This year, there were 572 names placed on the wall. All of those names were from brothers and sisters who passed away in the years 2021 and 2022. This year, we were down there for one of our own, George Butler, who passed away in 2021. George had 32 years of service and he retired from the Moncton Fire Department on July 4, 2009,” Quillian says.

Two members of Butler’s family from Moncton also attended ceremonies, daughter Stacey Butler and granddaughter Jayme Hicks.

“One family member is presented with a flag from the International Association of Firefighters. Brian Parker presented that to Stacy,” Quillian says. “It is one big family, a brotherhood and a sisterhood. The key here is family. It shows the true meaning of the camaraderie that the fire service has for one another. The support that is there is unbelievable for the family. Being part of that is very humbling.”

(Photo: submitted)

(Photo: submitted)

Thousands of current and retired firefighters from across Canada and the United States attend the memorial every year.

Roughly 430 Pipes and Drums and around 1200 honour guards also took part.

“To be able to go twice in my career as a firefighter is quite the honour, “Quillian added

The last time Quillian attended was in 2017 when Moncton firefighter Andrew Petrie’s name was added to the monument.

(Photo: submitted)