For more than 20 years, on the first Saturday in June, firefighters and EMS personnel who have died in the line of duty or have been recognized by the Virginia Line of Duty Act in the previous year, are honored at a memorial service.

This year, the 27th Annual Virginia Fallen Firefighters & Emergency Medical Services Memorial Service is scheduled for noon Saturday, June 1, at the Richmond International Raceway Complex.

This year’s service will recognize James M. Alexander Jr. from Hanover County Fire-EMS, James A. Foster from the Rice Volunteer Fire Department, William A. McFarland from the Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Alicia A. Monahan from Chesterfield County Fire and EMS and Stephen D. Whitson from the Henrico County Division of Fire, among others.

The memorial service will include a keynote address, a Virginia Fire Services Honor Guard procession, a musical performance and an apparatus display from fire and EMS departments throughout the Commonwealth. State flags will be presented to the families of the fallen. The event is open to the public and will be livestreamed.

For more information regarding the Virginia Fallen Firefighters & EMS Memorial Service, contact Will Merritt at (804) 249-1986 or william.merritt@vdfp.virginia.gov.