Canada’s fallen firefighters remembered
Posted Sep 6, 2013 01:02:15 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – About 250 people, including in-service and retired firefighters, gathered outside City Hall on Friday afternoon for a memorial to honour their fallen colleagues.
The Fire Service Memorial Parade left Ottawa Police Headquarters on Elgin Street around 11:30 a.m., traveling north to Ottawa City Hall for a memorial service at 12 p.m.
This year’s service honoured two men killed in the line of duty, as well as nine others who were remembered for their legacy of courage.
Elaine Lytle’s husband, Herb, died two months ago from cancer, as a direct result of performing his duties as a firefighter.
She tells 1310News she was very touched by the ceremony.
“It meant a great deal to me and my children and my family,” says Lytle, holding back tears. “It’s really helped us through this whole thing.”
Her son, Tim, says it was nice to see such overwhelming support from the community for his father.
“He was my hero and it means the world to me to see him honoured like that,” says Lytle.
Friday’s parade began a full weekend of events for the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation, including the National Parade and Memorial Ceremony on Sunday.
Firefighters from across Canada will gather in full uniform for the National Parade at 9:30 a.m.
The route starts at the Garden of the Provinces and Territories Park near Sparks Street and wraps up at the Canadian Firefighters Memorial near the Canadian War Museum where a ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m.
