RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — You’ll notice flags flying at half-staff Sunday across Virginia.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an order on Friday that U.S. and Commonwealth of Virginia flags be flown at half-staff on all state and local buildings and grounds in honor of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service Day.
“We remember all the firefighters who were killed in the line of duty and made the ultimate sacrifice protecting their communities,” Gov. Youngkin said.
Flags will be lowered at sunrise on Sunday, May 4, 2025 and remain at half-staff until sunset.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is asking residents and businesses across the country to “light the night” in red this week to honor the firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2024 and in previous years.
The Virginia Beach Fire Department asks if you participate, to please share photos on their Facebook page. Several Virginia Beach facilities and landmarks that committed to participating include the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, the Virginia Beach Convention Center Tower, the Virginia Beach Municipal Center, Building 30 on Princess Anne Rd., and the Harry E. Diezel Fire Training Center on Birdneck Rd.
May 3-4, 2025 marks the 44th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
This year’s honorees will include the following Virginia firefighters:
- Firefighter James Carson Ward Jr., age 49, of the Virginia Department of Forestry, died on March 30, 2024, of a heart attack while operating at a wildland fire.
- Firefighter Trevor Brown, age 45, of the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company, died on February 16, 2024, in a gas explosion at a residential structure.
- Battalion Chief Gary Clark Campbell, age 52, of Spotsylvania County Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management, died on January 20, 2022, from complications of COVID-19.
Detailed information about each of the firefighters being memorialized can be found on the 2025 Roll of Honor.