Members of local volunteer fire and rescue departments and supporters came out on Wednesday, September 23rd at Wicomico Shores Golf Club for the 1st Annual Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association Golf Tournament. This public event was one in a series of nation-wide golf tournaments organized by local volunteers to raise funds for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF).
“We often describe the fire/rescue service as a family” said Tournament Coordinator Tom Mattingly Sr. “When we lose one of our members, it impacts us all. This event was just our small way to continue providing support for the families and departments of these fallen heroes. Each year, we gather at memorial programs across this great country with the goal of honoring our fallen and pledge to make every effort within our means to reduce the tragic loss of our dedicated fire/rescue responders. Our commitment to our fire/rescue family is that “Everyone Goes Home.”
This first time effort for the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association was very successful and we want to thank everyone that came out to enjoy a day of golf and support this event. Also, the success of our tournament was because of the strong community support of our many sponsors from the corporate community and the many hole sponsors that offered their support. Listed below are the key corporate sponsors include:

• Exelon
• United Communications
• SMECO
• Prince Frederick VFD
• Quality Built Homes
• Maryland Fire Equipment Corp
• Harris Communications
• MEDSTAR Shah Medical Group
• Christine Wray & John Felicitas
• California Causality
• Marrick Homes
• Marshal Insurance Agency
• Mission BBQ
• Community Bank of the Chesapeake
• Guy Distributing Co.
• Marlboro VFD
Hollywood VFD
Leonardtown VFD
Hughesville VFD

Thanks also goes out to the tournament team that work so hard to solicit donors for the event and worked to put together an enjoyable day at the golf course. Job well done.

The first National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Golf Tournament was held in 2004 to raise awareness and support the Foundation. The program has grown to include 30 regional golf tournaments across the country and has raised more than $3 million to help the NFFF provide programs and services for surviving family members, including scholarships, workshops and conferences. The NFFF also provides education and training for firefighters on preventing future fire service injuries and deaths.

About the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF)
The United States Congress created the NFFF to lead a nationwide effort to remember America's fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the non-profit foundation has developed and expanded programs to honor fallen fire heroes and assist their families and coworkers. The NFFF also works with the fire service to help prevent and reduce line-of- duty deaths and injuries. For more information on the Foundation and its programs contact us at 301-447-1365 or visit www.firehero.org.