Thursday at 10 AM, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department will conduct its fourth annual “Sea of Blue” Fallen Firefighter Memorial March. Hundreds of off-duty firefighters in dress uniform will gather near the foot of South Hogan Street, adjacent to The Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, to participate in this commemorative event which honors local firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
In addition to uniformed personnel, the march will include JFRD’s Pipes and Drums Band and numerous fire and rescue apparatus. The approximate 1-mile route includes Hogan, Duval, Laura, and Ashley streets.
Firefighters will step off at 10 a.m. from the foot of South Hogan Street and proceed north on Hogan Street to Duval Street and pass in front of Jacksonville City Hall. The route will turn north onto Laura Street for two blocks and then participants will march east on Ashley Street until reaching Liberty Street and Fire Station 1 (611 Liberty St.) for the annual Fallen Firefighter Ceremony, which begins at approximately 11 a.m.
As the Fallen Firefighter Memorial March approaches and passes through each intersection, JSO will provide hold and release traffic control measures. The march will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.
For more information, contact John Bracey, Community Affairs Officer for the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department, at jbracey@coj.net or 904-630-2969.
