Fallen
Fire Fighters Memorial Day Remarks
June 17, 25
Good afternoon. We gather today, as a community, to remember those who gave their lives to protect, in service to all of us. In service to our state. As your Governor, it’s a privilege to be with you, honoring the bravery of others and grieving with their families and loved ones.
Today, we honor all firefighters who died in the line of duty -- we remember the 179 individuals whose names have been previously enshrined on the memorial wall. We are also here to recognize the three additional names who have been added: Rangeland Fire Division Chief Nicholas A. Berg, Captain Larry Damon Dean, and Benjamin Charles Sapper.
Division Chief Berg was a dedicated Mist-Birkenfeld Rural Fire Protection District volunteer for 47 years. He is survived by his wife, four children, four grandchildren, his sister and many nieces and nephews.
Captain Dean was with the Salem Fire Department for over 30 years, having retired from service in 2018. He is survived by his wife, three children, two grandchildren, mother, sister and two brothers.
Firefighter Sapper was a first-year firefighter, only 21 years of age when he tragically passed. Firefighter Sapper had recently obtained his bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics and was looking forward to starting graduate school. He is survived by his parents and siblings.
We will hear more about each of them from our guest speakers, and as we do, let us hold their surviving family members, friends, and colleagues in our hearts and thoughts. We should share their stories every opportunity we get -- because to do so allows their spirits and stories to live on and serve as inspiration to others.
Whether you lost a loved one recently, or if their absence has been felt for a long time, each stage of grief has a place in today’s ceremony. And I know the public safety community gathered today will look out for one another, providing solace when things are hard.
Behind our commitment to service lies a simple, time-worn idea: to help others. There is no greater example of helping others than the way our firefighters put others’ lives ahead of their own. As I speak with you now, firefighters continue to return home from the Rowena fire that peaked this weekend with over 1,000 firefighters deployed to battle the wind driven flames - protecting communities, homes, critical infrastructure, and natural resources.
This is difficult work, in the intense heat and smoke, with increasing complexity as more wildfires turn to urban conflagrations. The fire season has only begun, and I am vigilant with you. As your Governor, I am committed to making sure firefighters are cared for in the way they care for us.
Thank you for being here today to commemorate the heroic individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect Oregonians in our time of need. May their memory be a blessing.