05-07-2025

National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, 2025

ProclamationView the Original .pdf
View the Original .pdf

The 1-Minute Brief

What: A presidential proclamation designating May 3-4, 2025, as National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend and ordering the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff on all federal buildings on Sunday, May 4, 2025.

Money: This is a ceremonial proclamation and has no direct financial cost, appropriation, or CBO score associated with it.

Your Impact: The average American will likely see the U.S. flag flown at half-staff on federal buildings and may see local fire departments holding remembrance ceremonies.

Status: This proclamation was signed by the President on May 1, 2025, and published in the Federal Register on May 7, 2025.

What's Actually in the Proclamation

This document is a Presidential Proclamation, an official announcement from the President, not a piece of legislation. It formally recognizes National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend and sets a specific action for national observance.

Core Provisions:

  • Designates May 3 through May 4, 2025, as National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.
  • Orders the flag of the United States to be flown at half-staff at all Federal office buildings on Sunday, May 4, 2025.
  • This action is taken in accordance with Public Law 107-51.

Stated Purpose (from the Sponsors):

The proclamation states it is issued to commemorate the volunteer and professional firefighters who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

  1. To honor the lives and legacies of the fallen and to support their families.
  2. To recognize the daily heroism and bravery of all firefighters.
  3. To remember specific acts of bravery, such as on September 11, 2001, and during the southern California wildfires.
  4. To specifically honor Corey Comperatore, a firefighter who lost his life during an assassination attempt on the President in July 2024.

Key Facts:

Affected Sectors: Government, Emergency Services.
Timeline: The proclamation applies to the weekend of May 3-4, 2025, with the flag lowering mandated for May 4, 2025.
Scope: The flag-lowering provision applies to all Federal office buildings nationwide. The commemoration is national in scope.

The Backstory: How We Got Here

Timeline of Events:

The Founding of a Tradition (1981-2001):

The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial was constructed in 1981 in Emmitsburg, Maryland, to honor firefighters who died in the line of duty. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) was created by Congress in 1992 to lead the nation's efforts to honor fallen firefighters. Each year, the NFFF sponsors the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, an official national tribute.

Codifying Honor (2001):

On October 16, 2001, in the wake of the September 11th attacks where 343 firefighters were killed, President George W. Bush signed Public Law 107-51. This law requires the American flag to be lowered to half-staff on all U.S. federal buildings each year in observance of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

Why Now? The Political Calculus:

  • This proclamation is a routine, annual declaration mandated by Public Law 107-51. Presidents traditionally issue such proclamations to fulfill the law and honor the occasion.
  • The timing is driven by the established schedule of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, which since 2023, is held the first weekend in May.
  • The inclusion of Corey Comperatore, who was killed protecting his family during a July 2024 assassination attempt on the president, serves to highlight a recent, specific example of heroism personally witnessed by the President.

Your Real-World Impact

The Direct Answer: This proclamation directly affects federal government agencies and has a significant symbolic impact on the firefighter community and their families, while for most Americans, the effect is observational.

What Could Change for You:

Potential Benefits:

  • Increased Awareness: The proclamation and the resulting half-staff flags raise public awareness of the sacrifices made by firefighters.
  • Community Solidarity: It provides a formal occasion for communities to gather and show support for local fire departments and the families of the fallen.
  • National Recognition: For Fire Hero Families, it represents a national acknowledgment of their profound loss and their loved one's service.

Possible Disruptions or Costs:

Short-term (May 3-4, 2025):

  • There are no direct costs or disruptions for the general public.

Long-term:

  • There are no long-term costs or disruptions associated with this ceremonial proclamation.

Who's Most Affected:

Primary Groups: Families of fallen firefighters, the national firefighting community (both career and volunteer), and federal employees responsible for flag protocol.
Secondary Groups: Local communities and organizations that participate in memorial events.
Regional Impact: The national memorial service is held in Emmitsburg, Maryland, making the impact most visible there, but the flag-lowering directive is nationwide.

Bottom Line: The proclamation is a symbolic act of national gratitude that most directly touches the firefighter community, while serving as a visual reminder for all citizens of the debt owed to these public servants.

Where the Parties Stand

This is a ceremonial proclamation based on a previously passed public law and is not a subject of partisan debate. Both Republican and Democratic presidents have historically issued similar proclamations. The underlying law, Public Law 107-51, was passed with bipartisan support.

Republican Position: "Honoring Our Heroes"

Core Stance: Fully supportive of this traditional and legally mandated observance.

Their Arguments:

  • ✓ Praises the bravery and self-sacrifice of firefighters.
  • ✓ Supports the recognition of individual heroes like Corey Comperatore.
  • ✓ Upholds the tradition of honoring fallen first responders.

Legislative Strategy: N/A - This is a presidential action, not active legislation.

Democratic Position: "Supporting Our First Responders"

Core Stance: Fully supportive of this traditional and legally mandated observance.

Their Arguments:

  • ✓ Supports honoring the sacrifice of firefighters and their families.
  • ✓ Emphasizes the importance of community service and public safety.
  • ✓ Upholds the tradition of national remembrance for fallen heroes.

Legislative Strategy: N/A - This is a presidential action, not active legislation.

Constitutional Check

The Verdict: ✓ Constitutional

Basis of Authority:

The President issues this proclamation based on the authority vested in him by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, specifically Public Law 107-51. While the Constitution does not explicitly define proclamations, their use is an implied power under Article II as part of the President's role as head of state. Many proclamations are authorized by acts of Congress.

Public Law 107-51: "Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That each year, the American flags on all Federal office buildings will be lowered to half-staff in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emmitsburg, Maryland."

Constitutional Implications:

Delegated Authority: In this case, the proclamation is primarily an instrument that triggers the implementation of a law passed by Congress. The President is fulfilling a statutory requirement.
Precedent: Every president since George Washington has issued proclamations. This type of ceremonial proclamation is a long-standing and undisputed presidential practice.
Federalism: The proclamation's direct order (lowering flags) is limited to federal buildings and does not impinge on powers reserved for the states. It encourages, but does not mandate, similar actions by state and local governments and private citizens.

Potential Legal Challenges:

There are no realistic legal vulnerabilities. This action is based on a clear congressional mandate (Public Law 107-51) and falls within the well-established ceremonial duties of the President.

Your Action Options

TO SUPPORT THIS OBSERVANCE

5-Minute Actions:

  • Lower Your Flag: If you have a flagpole, lower your own American flag to half-staff on Sunday, May 4, 2025, to join the national tribute.
  • Social Media Post: Share a message of support for firefighters and their families using hashtags like #FallenFirefighters and #NFFFMemorial.

30-Minute Deep Dive:

  • Participate in Local Events: Check with your local fire department to see if they are holding a public ceremony for the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.
  • Learn More: Visit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation website (firehero.org) to learn about the firefighters being honored and the support programs available to their families.

TO OPPOSE THIS OBSERVANCE

Given that this is a non-controversial, ceremonial proclamation fulfilling a legal mandate to honor fallen public servants, organized opposition is not a factor. Actions to oppose are not applicable in this context.