COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) — The sound of bagpipes and bells filled the air Sunday afternoon along the banks of the Scioto River in Downtown Columbus as the city’s Division of Fire held its annual firefighter memorial ceremony at the Fire Fighter Memorial Park and Eternal Flame.
“We take this day to honor all of our members that have passed away in the last year, whether they were on duty or even retirees,” Columbus Fire Battalion Chief Jeffrey Geitter said. “We take this moment to cherish the legacy they left us. We know some of these names and it really hits home. And so definitely, you know, some tears and eyes at times and, you know, just emotional for sure, but in a positive way.”
The flame atop the four pillars burns for each firefighter past and present.
“The spirit never dies, it is always inside of us,” Geitter said. “Every person that takes the oath to serve the citizens, it will always be there, even in retirement.”
Watch: Columbus Fire holds firefighter memorial
A crowd of friends and family members of the firefighters who died in the last year filled the chairs in front of the flame. Their loved ones will now have their names added to the monument, remembering all they gave to the city of Columbus and its people.