Lt. Darin Pasold Added to Fallen Firefighters Memorial

On Thursday, May 2nd, two members of the Hohenwald Fire Department left for a 748 mile journey to Emmitsburg, Maryland to participate in the 2024 Fallen Firefighters Memorial held at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. This year, Hohenwald Lt. Darin Pasold's name was added to the memorial. Darin passed away on Friday, November 27th, 2021 from complications of COVID 19. A backlog of paperwork for the years 2020 & 2021 were the cause of this delay. Darin was joined by 225 other firefighters added to the memorial wall this year.

Steve Vineyard and Daryl Newport joined in with the Tennessee Federation of Fire Chaplains to deliver one of sixteen support trailers to Emmitsburg to assist in the ceremony this year. Mayor McKnight and fellow firefighters were on hand to support Vineyard and Newport, wishing them safe travels and prayers for all involved.

Joining Vineyard and Newport were Darin's children: Bree, Ansley, and Grant, accompanied by their mother Jan Pasold. Darin's widow Kessta was unable to attend.

Vineyard and the family were able to take part in two ceremonies, one on Saturday night, and one on Sunday morning. Both of the ceremonies can be viewed on YouTube. You can find each one by searching 2024 Fallen Firefighters Candlelight service, and 2024 Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service. The memorial service is over 2.5 hours long. The naming of the Tennessee firefighters begins at the 1 hour 58 minute mark.

After the Sunday service, Grant, Ansley, and Bree were interviewed by Firehouse magazine to discuss the memorial services and their feelings. They reported being overwhelmed with kindness, compassion, and treated like royalty. The interview can be found on firehouse.com/thousandspaytributetofallenfirefighters

Vineyard and Newport both stated they were overwhelmed with emotions and memories they experienced while at the memorial. They both stated they were PROUD to be a part of the service, and they pray they never have to add another member's name to the memorial.