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| Former firefighting instructors stand-by to hammer their name tapes onto a display board at the Louis F. Garland Department of Defense Fire Academy high bay on Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, May 1, 2015. The academy hosted its 20th anniversary celebration honoring past and present instructors and the academy’s heritage. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Austin Knox/Released) |
For the first part of the event at the Fire Academy high bay, the Fire Academy honored former and current instructors of all branches and had them hammer their name tapes into a board that the 312th Training Squadron plans to hang for future students to see.
"Without the instructors, there would be no firefighting training mission," said Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Keenan, 312th Training Squadron instructor. "Fire training instructors selfishly share their knowledge and experience to ensure young firefighters grow up to be old firefighters."
Once the Fire Academy honored instructors, the ceremony moved to the Fallen Firefighter Memorial, so everyone could honor Battalion Chief John "Mac" McDonald who served at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C.
"The untimely loss of Chief McDonald was tragic," said Lt. Col. Derek R. Ferland, 312th TRS Commander. "His leadership, courage and camaraderie will be sorely missed."
The Fire Academy placed his name on one of the rocks surrounding the memorial, holding a moment of silence before presenting his family with a firefighter helmet.
by Senior Airman Joshua Edwards
17th Training Wing Public Affairs
