COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Fallen Utah firefighter Matt Burchett’s name has been added to the International Association of Firefighter Memorial Wall of Honor in Colorado Springs and his name will be read during a ceremony Saturday at 11 a.m.

Those that lost their lives in the line of duty are added to the wall every year. Thousands gather for the service and share the weekend together to remember those that have fallen, a press release from the IAFF said.

Burchett’s name will join over 8,000 names historically and 249 from this year alone. His family will also be attending the ceremony.

“Matt Burchett joined the fire service with a commitment to put his life on the line to keep our communities safe. Now his name will be added to the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Wall of Honor,” a statement read from the IAFF.

Thousands of family members, friends and brothers and sisters in the fire service attend the annual observance service at Memorial Park in the shadow of Pikes Peak.

The names of each fallen fire fighter is read, followed by the toll of a bell, after which a family member will be presented with a ceremonial folded flag.

“This solemn and somber ceremony is important not just for the families of the fallen who travel from across the United States and Canada to be here among other fire fighter families. It is important for all our members and their families to know that we honor the sacrifices they make for their communities and that we will never forget them,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger.

“Each year we gather in Colorado Springs to celebrate the lives of our fallen brothers and sisters and honor their sacrifice, and it never gets easier,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. #FallenFireFighter19 pic.twitter.com/QNX0g4lsCh

— IAFF (@IAFFNewsDesk) September 21, 2019

Each member’s name on the IAFF Wall of Honor tells a story of a fire fighter who died in service to their community and who left a family and community grieving.

The fallen are from across the United States and Canada – from big municipalities such as Boston to little towns such as Brampton, Ontario.

Etched on granite walls forming concentric circles, the names collectively tell a bigger story, more than a century of sacrifice, a fire service that has given so much but also has become stronger and made communities safer.

The Memorial service will be streamed live.

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