    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [October 7, 2007]
    [Pages 1292-1295]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg,
    Maryland
    October 7, 2007

        Thank you all. Thank you. Please be seated. Thanks for the warm
    welcome. David, thank you very much for
    your introduction. Nothing better than being introduced by an old fire
    chief. And I thank you for your service, Dave.
        It is such an honor to be here. I was telling Laura on the phone--she didn't make it, and I apologize, and
    so does she--

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    but I said, I'm going down the hill--I was up at Camp David--I'm going
    down the hill to be with some remarkable people and their families and
    to honor those who served. I said, I can't wait to go and to--be in
    their midst because I hold the firefighters in such high regard. I have
    a deep respect in my soul for people who serve our communities.
        As David mentioned, far too often we
    go to sites that have been devastated by natural disaster, for example.
    Every time, the firefighters are there--every time. It's clear that the
    people here who wear the uniform have a different view of jurisdiction
    than a lot of our citizens. You know, from New York after 9/11 to New
    Orleans after Katrina, there were firefighters from around the country
    there to help. The bond between the firefighters is obviously unique; it
    is definitely a source of strength. And it's a reminder that the work
    here is a calling, not a job.
        I want to thank the foundation for working hard to ensure that the
    families of those who have died in--are well treated. I want to tell you
    today that the Hometown Heroes Act will be fully implemented. This
    program will be administrated the way it was intended to be
    administrated. That's the least we can do as we honor the families of
    those who have died in the line of service.
        I also am amazed at the compassion I see amongst those who wear the
    uniform for their comrades. Anyway, thanks for having me. I'm sorry it's
    under these circumstances that we have to be together. I hope our
    presence can help heal your hearts just a little bit. And I'm looking
    forward to giving you a hug if you want a hug or smiling for a picture
    if you want to smile for a picture. But most of all, I'm looking forward
    to honoring your loved ones.
        I want to thank Steny Hoyer for joining
    us. He is--he respects you like I respect you, and he can pay tribute
    about as eloquently as anybody I have heard. I appreciate
    Roscoe Bartlett--he's the
    Congressman from this district--for joining us as well.
        I want to thank the mayor of Emmitsburg, Mayor Hoover, for joining us. I appreciate Chief Cade. I want to thank my friend Hal Bruno,
    who is the chairman of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. I
    want to thank the members of the board of directors who are here. I
    appreciate you all coming.
        You know, it takes a special kind of person to be a firefighter. It
    begins with a different sense of direction. When an area becomes too
    dangerous for everybody else, you take it over. When others are looking
    for the exits, our firefighters are looking for the way in. When the
    frightened occupants of a burning building are rushing down the
    stairwell, our firefighters are going the opposite direction, up the
    stairs and toward the flames.
        And you wonder where people like this get their courage. I'm sure a
    lot of it has to do with how they were raised or the examples of other
    firefighters in the communities in which they live. But the truth of the
    matter is that courage also comes from the community of firefighters.
    You work as teams; you share meals together. And when tragedy strikes,
    your dedication to one another ensures that no family will ever have to
    face the pain alone.
        Your presence here is a sign of that camaraderie. I see grieving
    widows sitting side by side with a firefighter in uniform--it's the
    camaraderie of respect and compassion. Today 91 new names go up on this
    memorial. It is sometimes said of your fallen comrades that they lost
    their lives in the line of duty. On this day, at this place, we say more
    accurately: The men and women we honor are people who gave their lives
    in the line of duty.
        We honor the service and sacrifices of firefighters like Kevin
    Apuzzio of New Jersey. Kevin started his career at age 16 when he joined
    an emergency medical unit. In college, he signed up for the East
    Franklin

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    Volunteer Fire Company. Kevin was killed when he was trying to rescue a
    75-year-old woman from her burning home. At Rutgers University, where
    Kevin was a student, they have named a public safety training center
    after him. And the president of the
    school put it simply: ``We want people to know that a hero walked on
    this campus.''
        We honor the service and sacrifice of firefighters like Amy
    Schnearle-Pennywitt of Michigan. Amy grew up dreaming of becoming a
    firefighter, and she achieved that dream. On a freezing morning in 2006,
    the Ann Arbor Fire Department responded to a crash on an icy highway.
    And Amy arrived on the scene and then was fatally struck by a pickup
    truck that had skidded out of control. In a tribute, the local newspaper
    called firefighters like Amy the backbone of our society. I believe that
    too. The editorial put it this way: ``We call them. And they come.''
        We honor the service and sacrifice of firefighters like Destry
    Horton. Destry worked for two fire departments in Oklahoma, the local
    department in Chickasha and the Grady County Fire Department. Destry was
    killed because he gave up a day of golfing so he could go help his
    comrades battling the wildfires in southern Oklahoma. He suffered
    terrible burns, and those burns would take his life. I found it
    interesting that at his funeral, a contingent of firefighters from New
    York showed up to pay their respects. Here's what one of them said, he said, ``It's sort of payback from after
    September the 11th when we had firefighters from around the world who
    came to show their support for us. This is a brother, and we wanted to
    be here.''
        We are here this afternoon for the same reason. That's why we're
    here. We're here for the friends and neighbors who risked their lives to
    keep us safe. And we're here for the colleagues who answered a call and
    did not come home. We're here for the brave moms and dads who left
    behind families that now need our love and our strong support.
        Families of our fallen firefighters have suffered a terrible loss.
    No words can ease the ache in your hearts. At this difficult time, we
    will try to help by taking you in our arms. We offer you our heartfelt
    and sincere compassion. We hope it is some comfort to know that your
    loved ones will live on forever in the memory of the communities they
    served so well.
        To the colleagues of those who have fallen: Your fellow firefighters
    knew the risks when they took the oath of service. Take pride in the
    example they have set. Honor their memory by carrying on the fine work
    that they were so proud to do by your side.
        And to all Americans: Across our great country, homes still stand
    and families can go about their lives because firefighters put
    themselves in harm's way to protect us. So when you walk by a firehouse
    or see an ambulance on a street corner, take a moment to go up and say
    thank you. I ask my fellow Americans to pray for their safety, and pray
    that we live lives worthy of the sacrifices made by those whose names we
    add to this memorial today.
        I appreciate you having me. I ask for the Almighty's blessings on
    you, and may He continue to bless the United States of America.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:38 a.m. In his remarks, he referred to
    R. David Paulison, Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency, who
    introduced the President; Mayor Jim Hoover of Emmitsburg, MD; Gregory B.
    Cade, Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistant Administrator for
    the U.S. Fire Administration; Richard L. McCormick, president, Rutgers
    University; and Richard Schmidt, firefighter, New York City Fire
    Department.

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