Las Vegas Firefighters Benefit Association to Co-Host Annual 9/11 Firefighter Tribute & Procession in Downtown Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Firefighters Benefit Association (LVFBA), Vegas’ premiere 501-C benefitting active and retired firefighters, and retired NY firefighter Mike Tomko, have joined forces to immortalize the September 11th credo ‘Never Forget’ by holding a tribute and procession in Downtown Las Vegas (DTLV) in honor of the 15th anniversary of the fallen firefighters and policemen who lost their lives during the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
On Sunday, September 11th, the LVFBA invites fellow firefighters, policemen, neighbors, politicians and supporters to join them in marching at retired FDNY firefighter Mike Tomko’s Annual Las Vegas September 11th Firefighter Tribute and Procession, being held in DTLV. The first 403 guests to arrive will be gifted with an American flag (donated by various Downtown businesses) to hold during the procession to represent the 343 FDNY firefighters, 37 Port Authority Police Department officers, and 23 officers from NYPD who lost their lives during the dreadful September 11th attacks.
The event starts at 7 p.m. and is open to the public; the procession will kick-off at the DTLV 3rd Street Stage, where bagpipers will play before the procession starts, immediately followed by longtime Vegas performer Frankie Scinta’s performance of the National Anthem. Supporters will join in a moment of silence and then the march will commence east on Fremont St. in honor of the fallen. A 50-ft. large American Flag Arch will pave the way at 3rd Street & Ogden.
“This Las Vegas 9/11 memorial event started in 2003 and simply consisted of a group of firefighters getting together at a makeshift memorial at NYNY Hotel & Casino where we lit a few candles, shed some tears and had a few laughs, which is what our departed brothers would have wanted,” said Mike Tomko, retired FDNY firefighter. “However, I’m proud to say that we now have several hundred firefighters attending from all over the country, including the Honor Guards from all the Las Vegas Valley Fire Departments, along with Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases. The procession down Fremont Street is truly a site that will take your breath away. I would like to take to take this opportunity to invite everyone in our Valley to join us as we march in remembrance of the fallen and carry an American flag in support of those lost.”
For more information, to register your attendance or to donate to the “Annual Las Vegas September 11th Firefighter Tribute and Procession” event taking place in DTLV, visit http://bit.ly/DTLV911Tribute.