CONCORD — The New Hampshire Fallen Firefighters Memorial expanded Sunday as officials placed four additional names on the monument during a ceremony marking its 20th anniversary. Families, firefighters and public safety partners joined in a morning of formal honors and remembrance at the state site.
New additions span more than a century
The memorial now lists four new honorees: Charles Gallant of the Rye Fire Department (2023), William Connor of the Goffstown Fire Department (2024), Aaron Cooper of the Keene Fire Department (2025) and George Hidden of the Nashua Fire Department, who died in 1909.
Officials said the inclusion of Hidden’s name resolves a long-standing historical omission. Newspaper accounts from the time described Hidden as an active, veteran driver of a three-horse fire cart; a tragic accident while on duty led to his death more than a century ago. His service has now been formally recognized alongside modern-day firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Ceremony follows longstanding fire service traditions
The observance followed customary rites of the fire service: presentation of the colors, a wreath-laying, the unveiling of the new tablet and a reading of the necrology while flowers were passed. The gathering concluded with the tolling of the bell for the Final Alarm and a musical performance of “Amazing Grace” by the Professional Firefighters of New Hampshire Pipes and Drums.
Representatives of departments across the state and members of the public safety community attended the event to honor the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice serving Granite State communities.
“Twenty years later, our promise remains the same,” officials noted following the ceremony.
Why the memorial matters to communities
For families and colleagues, the memorial functions as a focal point for gratitude and collective memory. Organizers emphasized the site’s purpose: to ensure that the names and the service of fallen firefighters are preserved for future generations.
Speakers at the ceremony expressed appreciation for the contributions of volunteers and career firefighters, and they thanked Honor Guard members, musicians, volunteers and public safety partners whose participation helped mark the anniversary.
- Remembrance: The memorial consolidates recognition for firefighters who died while serving New Hampshire communities.
- Community support: Families and departments reaffirm bonds of solidarity at the annual observance.
- Historical correction: Inclusion of a 1909 casualty acknowledges long-overlooked service and sacrifice.
Names added at the 20th-anniversary dedication
| Firefighter | Department | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Charles Gallant | Rye Fire Department | 2023 |
| William Connor | Goffstown Fire Department | 2024 |
| Aaron Cooper | Keene Fire Department | 2025 |
| George Hidden | Nashua Fire Department | 1909 |
Organizers noted that the memorial has stood for two decades as a public promise to survivors and the larger community: the state will continue to honor the memory of those who died in the line of duty. The annual ceremony is an occasion for departments to gather, reflect and reinforce safety and support networks across New Hampshire.
Family members in attendance were acknowledged during the program, and speakers expressed gratitude for their participation and for the ongoing efforts of volunteers and public safety personnel who helped mount the service.
The 20th-anniversary event also served as an opportunity to connect modern incidents of loss with long-standing traditions of firefighting — from horse-drawn apparatus in the early 1900s to the protected, trained departments of today.
Officials encouraged residents to visit the memorial to pay respects and to remember the risks first responders accept when they serve their communities. Details about the memorial, including how names are considered for inclusion, are maintained by state public safety authorities and local departments.
The addition of these four names serves both as recognition of individual sacrifice and as a reminder of the enduring ties among New Hampshire’s firefighting community.
