Firefighters Pay Tribute to 3 Who Gave Their Lives
Amid the mournful sound of bagpipes, three firefighters who died trying to save a family three days before Christmas were honored Sunday by about 2,500 colleagues.
Firefighters from as far away as Los Angeles and Worcester, Mass., where six firefighters died earlier this month, joined a memorial service with more than 4,000 mourners.
“Together, today, we gather to pay tribute to three fallen heroes,” Fire Chief Mark Wessel said tearfully.
“Today we honor three men who unselfishly gave their lives performing their duties.”
Assistant Fire Chief Dave McNally, 48, and firefighters Jason Bitting, 29, and Nathan Tuck, 39, died Wednesday trying to save Melissa Cooper and her four children. Cooper and son Jacob McFarland, 4, have been released from the hospital. Her twin toddlers and 7-year-old daughter were buried Sunday.
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