Wysong among 226 firefighters to be remembered during National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host the 43rd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend (Memorial Weekend) on May 4-5, 2024 in Emmitsburg, Md. 

This year’s national tribute will honor 89 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2023 and 137 firefighters who died in previous years. Detailed information about each of the 226 firefighters being memorialized can be found on the 2024 Roll of Honor at https://www.firehero.org/2024-roll-of-honor/.

One area firefighter will be honored this year in Clinton-Warren Joint Fire and Rescue District Chief Robert L. “Bob” Wysong, 70, who passed away Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, after suffering a heart attack following a fire call on Christmas Eve.

Wysong was born Aug. 11, 1953, to James and Idella Wysong. He grew up playing with fire trucks in the Clarksville firehouse, next to his home. His father and brothers served on the Clarksville Volunteer Fire Department. As a teenager, he and his friends would join the department on runs after school. They would help in any way they could, including fighting fires and directing traffic.

Throughout high school, Wysong enjoyed playing sports. He excelled in basketball and was inducted into the Clinton-Massie Hall of Fame. Upon graduation, he became a dedicated public servant, serving on the fire department for 50-plus years and with the Warren County Career Center for 27 years.

In his 50-plus years of service to the department, Wysong served in various roles, most recently as the chief for 37 years. He had a vision to evolve the small-town fire department into what is now the Clinton-Warren Joint Fire and Rescue District. Chief Wysong was instrumental in developing the fire district that opened in October 2004. 

Safety was a priority for Chief Wysong, and he continued to expand his vision by leading a top-of-the-line training facility project that included a three-story burn tower, an in-house grain bin rescue prop, and a classroom for regional training and learning facilities. He was continually evolving the department and listening to his trusted team, always available to them. He loved to mow grass and integrated it into his duties. In his straw fire helmet branded “Fire Chief,” a Christmas gift from department members, he would groom the firehouse lawn to perfection on his Kubota tractor.

Chief Wysong was a dedicated and loving husband to his wife of 38 years, Cathy; a loving and supportive father to his son, Andrew; and a mentor/father figure to many other family and community members, including members of his department. He loved his dogs, Brody and Sammie, who were always excited to see him. Bob always spoiled them with lots of treats after they waited patiently for him to come home.

He was calm in the storm of life, never panicking and always patient. He had a way of making things better when things felt like they were falling apart. He welcomed everyone with a big hug or a pat on the back and always knew when you needed one. His hugs were the best part of your day and made everything better.

Chief Wysong is greatly missed, but his legacy will live on in his son, who was recently sworn in as the new chief of the Clinton-Warren Joint Fire and Rescue District. Chief Wysong would be so proud of Andrew.

Also being honored from Ohio are Kevin A. Dailey of the Middleport Fire Department and H. Matthew Hanenkrath of the South Richand Fire Department.

“National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to pause and reflect on the heroic efforts and selfless service of the fallen firefighters we are paying tribute to this year,” said NFFF CEO Victor Stagnaro. “We will always remember the bravery, commitment, and sacrifices of each of these 226 heroes — and their families.”  
 
There are two events open to the public at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) during Memorial Weekend.

• The National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service is on May 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be hosted by Fire Captain Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department.

• The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is on May 5 at 10:00 a.m. ET and will be hosted by actor Jeremy Holm.

Fire service and government leaders are scheduled to address the thousands of attendees at the Memorial Service on Sunday, May 5. The NFFF will livestream both events on the NFFF’s website (firehero.org), YouTube channel and Facebook page.

There are additional events during Memorial Weekend provided exclusively for the families and fire departments of honored firefighters. These include small group sessions and other activities throughout Friday and Saturday; they are open to the families and coworkers of newly honored and previously honored firefighters.

Schedule

Saturday, May 4, 2024
Candlelight Service 
Time: 7:30-9 p.m. ET 
Streaming begins at 7 p.m. ET.

Sunday, May 5, 2024
Memorial Service
Time: 10 a.m. – noon ET
Streaming begins at 9:30 am ET.

The NFFF will provide live satellite feeds of both events. Technical support is being provided by VISTA Worldlink, Comcast Beltway and INTELSAT. Satellite coordinates can be found at live.firehero.org

The services will be held at  National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park, National Emergency Training Center (NETC), 16835 S. Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, Md. 21727.
 
Those not attending Memorial Weekend in person can also pay tribute to this year’s honored firefighters. All can participate in Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters (May 1-5) by lighting their homes, businesses, landmarks or fire departments with red lights. Other ways to remember include Bells Across America, Sound the Sirens, and by signing a virtual Remembrance Banner.

In addition, the American flag will be lowered to half-staff on all federal buildings on Sunday, May 5. The public is also encouraged to lower their American flags that day to recognize the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

Public parking for Memorial Weekend is at Liberty Mountain Resort (78 Country Club Trail, Fairfield, PA). Shuttles from Liberty Mountain Resort will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 4 for the Candlelight Service and at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 5 for the Memorial Service.

Memorial Weekend is supported by individual and corporate donors, a grant from the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, and in partnership with the U.S. Fire Administration, a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The United States Congress created the NFFF to lead a nationwide effort to honor America's fallen firefighters. The mission is to honor America's fallen fire heroes; support their families, colleagues, and organizations; and work to reduce preventable firefighter death and injury. The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park includes the National Fallen Firefighters Monument, the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Chapel, a brick Walk of Honor, a September 11th memorial sculpture, and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Bell of Remembrance. Information about the NFFF and the Memorial Park can be found at https://weekend.firehero.org/fallen-firefighters/memorial-park/.

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