UPDATE: 2023 Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service

Every year since 2011, hundreds of people have gathered on the grounds of the State Capitol on the last Sunday of September for a solemn ceremony to remember the Minnesota firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The 2023 Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24.

This year’s ceremony, at the Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial at the State Capitol, is scheduled to include a wreath laying, reading of the honor roll, comments from dignitaries, bag pipes and a bell ceremony.

10:45 – Posting of the Guard
11:45 – Reading of the Honor Roll
12:30 – Sea of Uniforms
12:40 – Processional begins
1:00 – Memorial Service begins

Since 1881, 243 Minnesota firefighters have died in the line of duty. Their names have been inscribed on columns throughout the nationally recognized memorial, located on the south side of the Capitol grounds. The memorial service is held each year on the last Sunday in September, which has been designated as the state’s official day to honor Minnesota’s fallen firefighters.

The Minnesota Fire Service Foundation coordinates the effort to recognize the state’s firefighters who died in the line of duty and provides support and resources to fire departments, firefighters and their families throughout Minnesota.

ABOUT THE MINNESOTA FALLEN FIREFIGHTER MEMORIAL

In 2011, the Minnesota Fire Service Foundation launched an initiative to move the Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial from the baggage claim area at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport and create a larger, more accessible and interactive memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol. The new memorial gives families, friends, co-workers and community members a permanent location to pay tribute to these men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Fire Service successfully raised $720,000 to fund the memorial through donations from the public, Minnesota businesses and, primarily, from the state’s firefighting community. Financial contributions to fund educational scholarships for children of active, retired or deceased firefighters, and for spouses of deceased firefighters and support for firefighters and their families in times of need can be sent to: Minnesota Fire Service Foundation c/o Minnesota Fire Service Foundation c/o Security Bank & Trust Co. 591 Park Avenue, PO Box 157 Hamburg, MN 55339. Online contributions can be made at www.MNFireServiceFoundation.org. All contributions are tax deductible.