MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – A remembrance ceremony for Fallen Firefighters was held Saturday afternoon at the site of the Rutherford County Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
During the ceremony, the Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue Department honored the only two confirmed line of duty deaths in the department's history.
Officials said Firefighters AC Cartwright and Winfred Vaughn were killed 75 years ago when they were struck by another vehicle on the way to a grass fire.
Maggi Vaughn, Poet Laureate of Tennessee and daughter of Winfred Vaughn, recited a poem she wrote for the occasion about fallen firefighters across the nation.
"We would like to thank all those who attended today's ceremony," said Chief Cumbey Gaines. "The crowd of people showing support for these fallen firefighters, speaks volumes of how our citizens are appreciative of those who lay their lives on the line every day."
The Rutherford County Fallen Firefighters Memorial was dedicated in January 2011 and is located on the northwest corner of Murfreesboro's public square.
