A South Amboy and a Keasbey firefighter who died in the line of duty will be honored during a national memorial service.
Fire Police Officer Gerald M. Celecki, 70, of the South Amboy Fire Department, died after he collapsed at the scene of a gas leak on Oct. 14, 2015.
Deputy Chief Thomas J. Kolarick, 41, of the Keasbey Fire Department, experienced chest pains while responding to a brush fire and later died on Nov. 11, 2015, from post-surgical complications.
They will be memorialized during the 35th annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, on Oct. 9.
Five fallen firefighters from New Jersey, who are among the 79 firefighters who died in 2015, and 33 firefighters who died in previous years will be remembered at the official national service, according to information provided by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF).
Firefighters Sean M. Benson Sr., 50, of the Paramus Fire Department; James P. Reilly, 85, of the Morris Township Fire Department; and Barry W. Van Horn, 63, of the Somerville Fire Department, will also be remembered during the service.
Their names will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial on the academy grounds. The national tribute is sponsored by the NFFF and the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Fire Administration.
Families will receive flags flown over the U.S. Capitol and the National Memorial, according to the NFFF. Members of fire service, honor guard and pipe and drum units from across the country will participate in the tribute.
For a complete list of fallen firefighters, visit www.firehero.org.
