Honoring a Life--In the Line of Duty

Two weeks ago today, the boys had the day off of school, and they got up just like a school morning and we went to the Johnston High School for a funeral. It was for Des Moines Firefighter, Kirk Pederson. Kirk grew up in Grinnell on the same block that I did. He graduated from High School with my brother, Kevin. He was a drummer in the marching band with my brother, Todd. Kirk's parents are some of my parents' very best friends.

He was a healthy person who loved to exercise. Seven months ago he was on the tread mill and had some chest pains. He went to the doctor and was diagnosed with lung cancer. Because he never smoked and because of his job they called it "occupational cancer." The cancer was caused by all of the carcinogens from the smoke from fires. The cancer spread to his liver, his throat and his brain. Because it was considered job related they called his death "in the line of duty." He was given a funeral with full honors.
One of the reasons that I took the boys was because I knew that it would be something to witness and that I hoped that they wouldn't soon forget. We drove into the parking lot under the large flag draped between the two ladder trucks. We sat in the parking lot for a little bit and saw firefighters coming in from all over the state.

The service itself was very touching and emotional. It included the "Bell Ceremony." That is when they ring the bell 5 rings....5 times. Known as 5 5's it announces a death in the line of duty. All of the firefighters in attendance stood and the announcement that included something along the lines of "Firefighter Kirk Pederson has died in the line of duty on 17 October, 2011 and has been relieved of all of his duties." There was more to it, but I just can't remember it all, and I can't do it justice if I don't get it exactly right.

All of the firefighters in attendance were the first to be escorted out of the high school and waited for their orders.

This person called all of them to attention as the casket was exiting the gymnasium.

Honoring Kirk on his way by. It was very solemn as they did this. The bag piper lead the pastor, the casket and the family out. Everything was very slow and deliberate.

His pall bearers were his "brothers" from Station 9, Second Division.

One of Kirk's final wishes was to ride on the fire truck one more time with his fellow firefighters. Unfortunately, they were not able to get that done before he died. However, his last ride, to his final resting place, was aboard the fire truck. His family is watching. He had just married in May. You can see his wife and her 2 sons, and Afton who is someone that he always considered and treated like his own daughter. You can also see his parents and his 2 nieces. His brother and his wife are just out of this picture.

From here, they took him past Station 9. I asked if they would stop and I was told that they would drive by it very slowly and whoever was in the station at that time would come out and salute. We did not follow the truck, but were told that on every overpass out of Des Moines there was a firetruck with firefighters saluting.

After going by his station, the truck took him to his final resting place in Grinnell. He was buried with full honors while the bag piper played right next to his sister who had taken her own life just 10 days prior to his own death. They were buried 8 days apart. It's all so sad. It's really more then parents should have to deal with.

I hoped that this was something that would stick with my boys. I know that it isn't an experience that I will soon forget.