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Delaware Fallen Firefighters to be honored at national memorial service Oct. 8

September 30, 2017

The 36th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service will honor four firefighters from Delaware who died in the line of duty. They are among the 75 firefighters who died in 2016 and 20 firefighters who died in previous years who will be remembered at the official national service Sunday, Oct. 8, at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md.

Senior Firefighter Jerry W. Fickes Jr., 51, and Lt. Christopher M. Leach, 41, of the Wilmington Fire Department, died Sept. 24, 2016, from injuries sustained while fighting a structure fire.

Lt. Ardythe Denise "Ardy" Hope, 48, of the Wilmington Fire Department, died Dec. 1, 2016, from injuries sustained while fighting a structure fire Sept. 24, 2016.

Firefighter Timothy J. McClanahan, 46, of the Lewes Fire Department, died July 11, 2016, from injuries sustained during a joint training exercise with the Delaware Air Rescue Team.

Their names will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial on the academy grounds. The national tribute is sponsored by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Fire Administration.

Thousands are expected to attend the service, including families and friends of the fallen firefighters, members of Congress, administration officials and other dignitaries. Families will receive flags flown over the U.S. Capitol and the National Memorial. Members of the fire service, honor guard units, and pipe and drum units from across the country will participate in this national tribute.

For more information, go to www.firehero.org.

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