The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host the 43rd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend (Memorial Weekend) on May 4-5, 2024 in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This year’s national tribute will honor 89 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2023 and 137 firefighters who died in previous years. The honorees will include the following Wisconsin firefighters:
Fire Chief Raymond “Ray” Samson, age 55, of the Dale Fire and Rescue, died 01/22/2022 due to the complications of COVID-19
Firefighter Frank Sanchez Jr., age 61, of the Nekimi Volunteer Fire Department, died on 5/26/2021 due to complications of COVID-19.
Fire Chief Stephen Smith, age 54, of the Vandenbroek-Kaukauna Fire Department, died on 12/20/2021 due to complications of COVID-19.
Captain Todd Yandre, age 61, of the Lake Mill Fire Department, attended live evolution fire training at the fire station on 2/14/2023 and 2/15/2023. During the evening of 2/15/2023 while at the gym, he collapsed and was pronounced dead due to a heart attack.
