I have to admit that I complain a lot. About almost everything- business, bills, insurance, weather, health, government, traffic, social media, internet, smartphones, f-stops, shutter speeds, ISO- the list goes on… And then I find myself photographing the memorial service for fallen firefighters. I am in a room (a big one- ballroom at the Raleigh Convention Center) full of these brave firefighters, their families and friends. And candles which are symbolic of the fallen firefighters. And there are many candles. Each fallen firefighter will be remembered. Each candle will be lit. Loved ones of the fallen firefighter will stand up (some more than once). It is quiet in the room, except for the announcement of names. This brotherhood is strong. I salute the ones who are present in the room and pray for the ones who are being remembered. Thank you for your sacrifices. Thank you for risking your lives and everything else to save others. At end of the service, loved ones will find candles of their fallen ones. I have friends who are firefighters. And I have friends who were saved by the firefighters. Just looking at these images brings tears to my eyes…
– Tesh Parekh
IWP Photography
www.iwpphotography.com
facebook.com/iwpphotography
919-622-5399
email: tesh@iwpphotography.com
Bill Cowher (ex-Pittsburgh Steelers coach) delivered the keynote address earlier in the day.
