From: Nelson, Colleen McCain [mailto:xxx@email.com]
Sent: Sunday, October 04, 2015 12:46 PM
To: Gabriel, Brian
Subject: Travel Pool Report #2 -- memorial service
President Obama delivered brief remarks at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service, sharing anecdotes about a few of the 87 individuals who lost their lives in the service to others. He also spoke about the intense wildfires that have raged in recent years and said firefighters must be given the equipment and support that they need to get the job done and come home safe.
The somber service was held in a gym at Mount Saint Mary's University, and the wooden bleachers were filled with men and women in dress uniforms and their families.
Obama told the firefighters' families: "We admire them. We cherish the work that they do. We hold you in our hearts, today and always. We offer you our deepest condolences, and our prayers, and our eternal gratitude."
You already have the official transcript in your inbox.
After speaking for about 12 minutes, Obama stayed for more than an hour to greet the families of the fallen firefighters one by one, offering hugs and handshakes -- as well as occasional high-fives to small children -- as the roll of honor was read aloud.
The service is wrapping up now.
The White House passes along information about the crowd and the speakers:
Crowd count is 4,000 via Glenn Rush, fire marshal of the Frederick County Fire Marshal's office
First speaker: Chief Dennis Compton, Chairman, Board of Directors, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Second: Chief Ernest Mitchell, Administrator, US Fire Administration
Introducer: W. Craig Fugate, Administrator of FEMA
Colleen McCain Nelson
The Wall Street Journal
Cell: xxx-xxx-xxxx