Utahn, 90 other fallen firefighters honored

Sheldon Wimmer, BLM's Utah office fire management officer, Randy Hart, the assistant state fire management officer and Timothy Murphy, of the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, stood as Spencer Koyle's name was called.

"It was a real loss to us," Wimmer said. "Not only was he a really great guy, but he was a trainer, a mentor, just a kingpin in our organizational structure."

Wimmer has been to five previous ceremonies for other firefighters killed and said in his experience he has found the event gives closure to family members.

"It gives finality to it," said Wimmer, who wore a black band around his badge in honor of those who died. He said after a year filled with first times the person is not there for various events, the ceremony is a good way to help the families move on.

Sunday's ceremony followed a Saturday night candlelight vigil and dinner for the families at which grief counselors were on hand to talk. Wimmer said many families bond with each other during the weekend and stay in touch afterward.

Those gathered for the ceremony were also able to see the "To Lift a Nation" monument created by Salt Lake City-based sculptor Stan Watts depicting three firefighters raising a flag at the site of the World Trade Center collapse after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City.

The 19-foot tall firefighters raising a real American flag made its way to Maryland last week. The monument will be dedicated on Nov. 5.

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E-mail: suzanne@desnews.com