CONCORD, N.H. — Firefighters, families, first responders, and community members from across New Hampshire gathered in Concord on Saturday morning for an emotional milestone: the 20th anniversary ceremony of the New Hampshire Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
For two decades, the memorial has served as a sacred ground of remembrance, honoring Granite State firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities. Today’s service reaffirmed a solemn promise kept for 20 years—to stand beside surviving families and ensure their loved ones' legacies endure.
During the ceremony, four new names were enshrined on the memorial tablet:
- Charles Gallant (Rye Fire Department, 2023)
- William Connor (Goffstown Fire Department, 2024)
- Aaron Cooper (Keene Fire Department, 2025)
- George Hidden (Nashua Fire Department, 1909)
The morning was marked by solemn tradition and brotherhood. Highlights included the presentation of colors, a ceremonial wreath laying, the official unveiling of the tablet, and the reading of the necrology alongside the passing of flowers.
The service concluded with the poignant tolling of the bell for the Final Alarm and a rendition of "Amazing Grace" performed by the Professional Firefighters of New Hampshire Pipes and Drums.
Organizers expressed deep gratitude to the families of the fallen, as well as the Honor Guard members, musicians, volunteers, and public safety partners who made the 20th-anniversary service possible.
"Twenty years later, our promise remains the same," officials noted following the ceremony. "Their names, their service, and their sacrifice will not be forgotten.”
