• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The Relief

The Relief

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Medical
    • Claim Status
    • What’s Covered
    • Eligibility
    • Change Dependents
    • Prescriptions
    • Find Medical Care
    • LiveHealth Online
    • Wellness Plan
    • Medical Equipment
    • Medicare
    • Long-Term Care
    • Vision
    • ID Cards
    • Kaiser Plan Member
    • PPO Summary Plan Document (SPD)
    • Medical Forms
    • Transparency in Coverage
  • Relief Benefits
    • Firefighter Event Reimbursement Form
    • Medical Equipment
    • Sick & Injury
    • Life & Accident
    • Death Benefit
    • Family Support Group
    • Assistance / Advancements
    • Estate Planning/Trusts
    • Scholarships
  • Ten Bells
    • Death Notices & Funerals
    • Report a Death
    • Member Deaths – A to Z
  • Retirement Corner
    • Scheduled Retirement Events
    • Retirement Announcements
    • Plan a Retirement Event
    • How To Retire
  • Calendar
    • Special Fundraisers
    • Events
    • Retiree Breakfast / Lunch Reunions
    • Memorials / Funerals
    • Firefighter Event Reimbursement Form
    • Add an Event
  • Grapevine
    • Current Issue
    • Articles
    • Columns
    • Mailbox
    • President’s Message
    • Advertising
    • Submit an Article/Photo
    • Archives
  • Donate
    • Donate Now
    • Widows & Orphans Web Site
  • About Us
    • About The Relief
    • Contact Us
    • Careers / Employment Opportunities
    • Board of Trustees
    • Testimonials

Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony

November 30, 2014

The LAFD’s annual Fallegv_dec-2014_fallen-ffn Firefighters Memorial service was held on October 11th, 2014. Family, friends, and fellow firefighters gathered to pay tribute to the 264 members who have given their lives serving the community over the years. While many from Los Angeles attended the Annual California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony held in Sacramento the same day, there was still a significant crowd who gathered at the memorial on Saturday morning in remembrance.

LAFD Chaplain Rick Godinez, the organizer of this year’s ceremony, has seen how the annual tradition has grown over the years. “It originally started downtown at the cenotaph right at City Hall. Since we developed and built our own memorial, we’ve been having the annual service at Fire Station 27’s museum. Over the years, we’ve gained more support, both from active members and retired. It’s just our way to recognize our own people and our own family members.”

The keynote speaker for the ceremony is usually a family member of a fallen firefighter, and this year was no exception. Nicole Pinel lost her father, Benjamin Pinel of Fire Station 54, thirty years ago when she was still an infant. She gave a moving speech about what the LAFD family has meant to her. “From Cabbage Patch dolls to scholarships to a college education, this department has always been there to help this little girl realize that her dreams and ambitions are always a reality. They’ve helped me grow into a woman that I know my dad is proud of.”

LAFD Deputy Chief Mario Rueda also spoke about the loss of Ben Pinel. “It was really the first time, as a 23-year-old firefighter. I loved the job but it was the first time I really became aware of the heavy toll that firefighters have to pay when they put on the badge. Each morning, I honor Ben when I put on my uniform shirt and badge.”

LAFD Chaplain Danny Leon gave the memorial prayer and spoke about the important role that the memorial wall itself plays for those who are coping with or remembering a loss. “Almost everybody in this audience is affected or touched by somebody on this wall. It shows me that you guys have a place to come to honor and to remember and to cherish your loved one.”

There was a reading of the names on the memorial, as well as the names of those firefighters who have passed on since last year’s memorial ceremony. Many family members and friends went up when the name of their loved one was called in order to place a single red rose at the memorial wall. It was a very moving moment.

After the conclusion of the ceremony, many of those who had gathered stayed to chat with friends or to join in the lunch that was held upstairs in the museum. It was clear how important it was to many of the attendees to have the chance to be among others who have faced the same kind of loss. For many, the memorial ceremony is an event they attend every year because of that important connection. As LAFD Chaplain Craig Poulson said before he gave the benediction, “To the families that are grieving . . . you’re not going to close a hole in your heart, but [I hope we’re] able to maybe help you get through today, and just be around some people that are also walking the same road.”

By Jody Houser, LAFRA staff
Photos by Yvonne Griffin

Filed Under: Articles, Grapevine Tagged With: fallen firefighters

Primary Sidebar

Paid Advertising

Share!

The Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association’s Holiday Dinner Dance

LAFRA Open House 2022

2022 LAFD Merit Scholar Awards

Secondary Sidebar

The Firemen's Grapevine

Categories

  • Articles (711)
  • Board Minutes (172)
  • Columns (185)
  • Department In Action (63)
  • Featured (83)
  • Health & Fitness (31)
  • Highlights (83)
  • Mailbox (64)
  • Memorials (27)
  • Retired Guys (33)
  • Sports (68)
  • Training (7)
Chris Stine

President’s Message – January 2023

I would like to thank you, the LAFRA Board, for placing your confidence and trust in me to serve as the new president of LAFRA for the calendar year 2023. I will continue to work hard to not only maintain our excellent … Continue Reading about President’s Message – January 2023

Archives

  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012

Footer

Main Office Numbers
(800) 244-3439 Toll-free
(323) 259-5200 Direct

Office Location
7470 N. Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90041

Los Angeles Firemen's Relief Association
  • Home Page
  • Contact Us
  • Links
  • All Forms
  • Staff Directory
  • Board of Trustees
  • By-Laws
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map

Give To A Hero

Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund
Donate Now

Copyright © 2023 · Los Angeles Firemen's Relief Association