On April 1st, 2011, the Military Firefighter Heritage Foundation honored three DOD Firefighters who died in the Line-of-Duty.  Mr William Travis of Naval Air Station Norfolk who died on March 4th, 1981, Mr Robert Hoeflien of Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, who died on September 27th, 1988 and A1C Derek Kozorosky of Kadena AB Japan who died on February 11th , 2001.  Mr Travis and Mr Hoeflien were an oversight when the DOD Fallen Firefighters Memorial was dedicated in October 2006.

            The Family of A1C Derek Kozorosky was in attendance for the memorial service.  They placed a paver in honor of their son, received an identical paver and the DOD Fire Emergency Services Flag in honor of Derek. They also received a helmet with Derek’s name and years of service that was showcased on the Fallen Firefighters Table during the Firefighter Ball, Saturday evening.  Thanks to Mr Tom Smith of Tom Smith Fire Equipment for making this possible.

            During the Memorial Service the names of the fallen were unveiled, and a wreath was presented in their honor.  Speakers during the service were TSgt Nelson Thomas of Kadena AB, Japan, Mr Ron Siarnicki, Executive Director of the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation and Col Thomas Geary, Commander 17th Training Wing.  Mike Robertson, President of the Military Firefighter Heritage Foundation served as the Master of Ceremonies. 

            Over 200 attended the ceremony to include, students from the DOD Fire Academy, The Base Fire Department, former DOD Fire Academy Instructors and Commanders from Chanute AFB and Goodfellow AFB,  and local visitors 

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