AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas (SFFMA) hosted a memorial service Wednesday to honor volunteer firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The memorial service was held at the Volunteer Firemen’s Memorial monument on the south lawn of the Tex as Capitol. The service began at 10:30 a.m. “Volunteer Firefighters are an exceptional group of people. They hold regular jobs, but still feel the calling to serve their communities as firefighters,” said SFFMA President Billy Tidwell in his opening words. “Each of these individuals answered the call with the dedication and courage, fully aware of the risk, but steadfast in their duty to protect and serve.” A release from SFFMA said that throughout legislative years, it has held memorial services to pay respects to the fallen volunteer firefighters. This year, 11 fallen firefighters were honored. “This solemn service at the monument on the Capitol grounds is a beautiful way for us to pay our respects to volunteer firefighters lost in the line of duty,” SFFMA Executive Director Cherry Kay Abel said. Lawmakers, such as Rep. Caroline Fairly, R-Amarillo, were in attendance. Fairly represents District 87, which is made up of multiple rural counties. Bill seeks to bolster firefighting efforts amid a worsening climate “The firemen that we have in our rural communities—they’re willing to sacrifice their lives to serve and to defend farm land and ranchers," Fairly said. "It’s really important that we remember that, and we honor that.” Families, friends, brothers and sisters of respective departments gathered for the service. There was a bagpipe and honor guard processional, along with a few heartfelt words from members of the SFFMA board. A bell tolled for each firefighter, and the families of the fallen received roses and a flag that once flew over the Texas Capitol. The following names of each of the 11 fallen volunteer firefighters will also be etched onto the Volunteer Firemen’s Memorial monument. Dan Wright, Jr. - Abbott Volunteer Fire Department Nahit Oral - Community Volunteer Fire Department Joe Parrish - Diboll Volunteer Fire Department Zeb Smith - Fritch Volunteer Fire Department John Norris - Forest Bend Fire Department Richard Hempel - Groesbeck Volunteer Fire Department Evan Curtis Brown - Honey Grove Volunteer Fire Department Robert Lahar II - Maxwell Volunteer Fire Department Scott Glass - Perryton Fire Department Edward Hykel, Jr. - West Volunteer Fire Department Daniel Potts - Whitney Fire Department In attendance at the memorial were Joe and Lisa Smith, who lost their son, Zeb Smith, in March 2024. Zeb was chief of the Fritch Volunteer Fire Department. “Zeb lived large. Everything he did was large and he had a lot of laughter,” said Lisa. She added, “He would be so honored with this memorial service.” ...read more read less