Louisiana Firefighters to Honor Fallen Brothers

Louisiana firefighters will gather in Baton Rouge this weekend to honor those who have died in the line of duty.

Louisiana State Fire Marshal Butch Browning and Louisiana Walk of Honor Foundation President V.J. Bella say the 2015 Louisiana Fallen Firefighter's Memorial Ceremony will be held Saturday, April 11, at the Office of State Fire Marshal building, located at 8181 Independence Blvd. in Baton Rouge. The ceremony starts at 11AM.

A luncheon will be held immediately after the service, which will include representatives from numerous fire departments, fire service organizations and families of fallen firefighters.

The following firefighters will be recognized during the ceremony:

Clyde Ray Farmer, Caddo Parish Fire Dist. #8, April 23, 2013

John Flanagan, New Orleans Fire Dept., February 20, 1932

Steven Anthony Hester, New Orleans Fire Dept., August 1, 2010

Patrick Hogan, New Orleans Fire Dept., April 26, 1931

Chief Billy Glen Norris, Jr., Lecompte VFD, July 21, 2014

Robert Bruce Thomas, Bienville Parish Fire Dist. #7, July 1, 2014

This year's event also marks the unveiling of a new monument honoring industrial firefighters who respond to and battle fires in the state's chemical plants. Of the 106 names that adorn the memorial's walls, two are those of firefighters who died in chemical plant fires in 1982 and 2011.

"Whether it's municipal, wildland, or industrial firefighters, these men and women selflessly give of themselves every day to protect the citizens of this great state," said Fire Marshal Browning in a news release. "We owe a great deal to them. Let us never forget."