Blunt- Flags at half-staff to honor fallen firefighters

Gov. Matt Blunt ordered flags to be flown at half staff until Monday to honor fallen firefighters.

"As the nation remembers fallen heroes this weekend, Missouri mourns the loss of Gerald McGowan and Steve Fierro," Blunt said in a news release.

A national memorial service to add McGowan (Kansas City Fire Department) and Fierro (Carthage Fire Department) to the National Memorial wall is scheduled Sunday at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md.

"We should take time this weekend to recognize the loss of our fallen heroes and be thankful for the service of our firefighters," Blunt said.

Acting Capt. Gerald McGowan, 57, of Kansas City died Sept. 6, 2004, in a moving vehicle accident while answering a call.

Steve Fierro, 40, of Carthage died Feb. 18, 2004, while fighting a fire in Diamond, Mo.