Thursday, October 2, 2008 Returning Survivors Reception There is a very special bond among our returning families. This year's reception will be an informal gathering. It will be a chance to renew acquaintances from the past and make new friends for the future - a time to relax and enjoy fellowship and good food! Returning Survivor Hotel Friday, October 3, 2008 Family Registration Returning families must register to get Weekend identification badges and information. Meet up with old friends and help welcome the families whose loved ones are being honored this year. » More: Click Here for Information on Family Registration Frederick Hotel Complex Welcome Reception/Weekend Orientation In the evening, please plan to attend the Welcome Reception, where you can relax and spend some time with new fire service families from across the country. There will also be a brief Weekend Orientation to help the new families know what to expect in Emmitsburg. Frederick Hotel Complex Saturday, October 4, 2008 Family Registration Registration will be open on the Emmitsburg campus for those who arrived too late to register on Friday. Write a message to your firefighter on the Remembering banner. » More: Click Here for Information on Family Registration Building B Keepsakes Visit the Foundation Store for mementoes of the Memorial Weekend Building K Basement Family Day We will provide bus transportation from the hotel complex to the Emmitsburg Campus. There will be afternoon small group sessions for returning families if you would like to attend. » More: Click Here for Information on Family Day Sessions Emmitsburg Campus Red Helmet Ride Watch a parade of hundreds of bikers ride onto the campus and then attend a brief wreath-laying service at the national monument. » More: Click Here for Information on the Red Helmet Ride Emmitsburg Campus Family Lunch Lunch will be served in the Dining Hall before afternoon activities in Emmitsburg Emmitsburg Campus Dining Hall Chapel Vigil The historic Chapel will be open during the day. Honor Guard members will stand in silent vigil as you place a rose in the symbolic Maltese Cross and light a candle for your loved one. National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Chapel Family Dinner After a day of activities, dinner will be served in the campus Dining Hall. Emmitsburg Campus Candlelight Service This evening service will feature musical selections by members of the fire service and survivors of fallen firefighters and a video tribute to the 2007 fallen heroes. Fire service Honor Guard will help families light commemorative votive candles for their fallen firefighters. » More: Click Here for Information on the Candlelight Service Basilica of the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Sunday, October 5, 2008 Memorial Service The tribute to America's fallen firefighters includes Honor Guard units and bagpipers from across the country. Each family will receive an American flag flown over the Nation's Capitol and the National Memorial. The ceremony will conclude with the unveiling of plaques listing the names of the 2007 fallen fire heroes and those being honored from previous years. » More: Click Here for Information on the Memorial Service National Fallen Firefighters Memorial