Fill the Boot, Fundraising & Events

Honoring Dennis Rodeman at the IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial

Roxan Olivas

dennis-rodeman

In 1986, the International Association of Firefighters completed a permanent tribute to its members, the IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Memorial was founded to recognize and honor past and future professional firefighters and emergency medical personnel who are killed in the line of duty and to provide assistance to the surviving spouses and children of those members.

Each September, the IAFF conducts a ceremonial service at the Memorial to honor those who have given their lives in the line of duty during the previous year.

iaff-memorial
The centerpiece of the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial is a bronze likeness of a fire fighter descending a ladder while cradling an infant in one arm. Towering 20 feet above the park’s surface, “Somewhere, Everyday” epitomizes the courage and bravery displayed daily by professional fire fighters across the continent.

This year, Michigan Firefighter Dennis Rodeman will be among the names read and honored. Dennis was killed Sept. 9, 2015 in Lansing, Mich. by a hit-and-run driver in what police called an intentional act while raising money for MDA. This was an unthinkable tragedy and our MDA community – as well as Dennis’s IAFF member brothers and sisters – continue to mourn this honorable hero and keep his family and friends in our thoughts and prayers.

Words simply cannot convey all of the sacrifices firefighters make to protect our nation’s communities. For more than 60 years, the IAFF has pledged to continue the fight alongside MDA “until there is a cure.” Their impact to bring more strength, independence and life to kids and adults affected by neuromuscular diseases is indeed profound.

You can view the Fallen Firefighter ceremony live on iaff.org on Saturday, Sept. 17, beginning at 11:00 a.m.