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A memorial to 181 firefighters who have died in the line of duty was unveiled this afternoon on the grounds of the state Capitol. Families of 35 of the fallen were on hand to remember the men and women being called heroes.

The men and women being honored date back to 1885. The monument is an effort of the firefighters association and championed by Fire Marshall and CFO Jeff Atwater.

“To the families of fallen firefighters. The rest of us are indebted to you for the loss of the love of your life and for the emptiness you continue to endure” said Atwater.

Mollie Gaylard, the mother of Joshua Burch, killed almost four years ago in a north florida wildfire, held the ceremonial ribbon cutting scissors, then watched as her grandson…etched his fathers name from the memorial. “He liked to hunt and fish. That’s what he does…did with his boys.  Um. He was always, he wanted to help somebody. He was, just, always there to help. HE loved his job.”

In all, 35 families came to pay tribute to their loved ones,  Charlie Johns, who came to honor Perry firefighter David Williams died in 1989. “It’s been 18 years since we lost him, so on one hand its nice to know he;s not forgotten. It also kinda stirs w=up all the emotions that we experienced years ago, so its bittersweet.”

The rate of firefighter deaths began declining in the 1970’2. That’s when increased training began.

Planners left plenty of space for more names to be added to the memorial….but it space they hope they never need.

Other families all said their loved ones had one thing in common…they loved their job.