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National memorial service to salute 148 fallen firefighters on Sunday

Sara Laird says it feels “surreal” that her late husband, Josh, will be among the 148 honorees Sunday at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

“It’s hard to put into words what attending the ceremony means,” Mrs. Laird, 43, told The Washington Times. “Having my husband honored will help ensure he is not forgotten, and that means a lot to my daughters and I.”

Frederick County Fire Capt. Josh Laird was killed Aug. 11, 2021, in the line of duty battling a large house fire in Ijamsville. His funeral was attended by Gov. Larry Hogan and hundreds of firefighters, who recalled his words, spoken over a portable radio on Engine 251: “Tell my family I love them.