On Saturday, October 6, there will be a morning rehearsal of the Honor Guards. At the conclusion of the rehearsal, lunch will be provided. There will also be an afternoon rehearsal of the Honor Guards and Pipe Bands in preparation for the Sunday National Memorial Service. All Honor Guard units are requested to attend both rehersals.

On Saturday, honor guard members can also be part of the daylong vigil in the National Memorial Chapel. Families will visit the Chapel to place roses in a Maltese Cross on the altar and light candles in honor of their loved ones.

On Sunday morning, October 7, honor guard members will join in a Sea of Blue through which the families will enter the campus. A procession of honor guard and bagpipe units will begin the national tribute.

Pre-registration will open in May 2012.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation invites your Honor Guard Unit or Pipe Band to register to participate during the 31st Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend on October 5 - 7, 2012, in Emmitsburg, Maryland. On this special weekend, a grateful nation will honor the brave men and women who died in the line of duty during 2011 and those who died in previous years and were reported to the Foundation in 2011.

On-campus housing requests will be acted upon with priority being given to those departments having a fallen firefighter being honored in 2012. Departments who do not have a firefighter being honored are responsible for making their off-campus lodging arrangements and paying all associated expenses.

Serving as a member of the Honor Guard or Pipe Band is extremely demanding, requiring your undivided attention and 100% of your time. While we understand the desire to share the experience with loved ones, please do not bring your spouse, or significant other, with the intent of having them accompany you during the weekend. The Candlelight Service on Saturday night and the Memorial Service on Sunday are open to the public, and they are welcome to attend those.

For more information on the 2012 Memorial Weekend, visit our website at weekend.firehero.org. If you have any questions, please contact Eric Nagle at (301) 447-1431 or by email at enagle@firehero.org.

Honor Guard registration will take place on Friday evening and Saturday morning. A mandatory rehearsal is scheduled for Saturday morning and afternoon.

The National Honor Guard Commanders Association will hold a meeting in the log cabin at 2pm. This meeting is for commanders only.

On-campus housing is available for up to four members for departments who have a fallen firefighter being honored in 2012. Local lodging is also available for these departments as well as other departments but goes fast, please make your reservations at a local area hotel as soon as possible.

The Foundation will provide on-campus meals on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday. We will provide more information on this event before the Memorial Weekend.