Fallen firefighters honored in downtown Sioux City - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Loved ones gathered in downtown Sioux City Friday to honor the sacrifice of 12 fallen firefighters.  Each year, they meet to the fallen firefighter's memorial next to City Hall.

The honor guard read aloud the names of those who paid the ultimate price protecting the community, and placed a wreath next to the memorial.

Fire Chief Tom Everett says it's not about remembering, because their sacrifices were never forgotten.  Their deaths provided important lessons that changed the way the fire department operates.

Virjean Verschoor was 12 when her father's fire truck crashed en route to a false alarm at the Orpheum Theater in 1952.

"At that time, they didn't have a system set up where you had a direct to go, and two fire trucks collided at 4th and Pierce," she explained.

Valoise Linden's accident changed the way firefighters are dispatched to emergencies.  Verschoor says it's important that the city honor the sacrifices of her father and the others who have died in the line of duty.

She makes sure to attend the memorial every year.

"I have a deep feeling in my heart that I need to honor my father.  He gave his life for this community, and he deserves to have me here," said Verschoor.

The last time the department suffered a loss was the Hen House Fire of 1982.