Peter James Coe, husband of Valerie Ann Ortiz-Coe, whose father is Tryon resident Frank Ortiz, was one of the fallen firefighters honored in the 30th Annual National Fallen Firefighters memorial service on Oct. 16. The service was held at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md.

Coe, a volunteer firefighter and safety officer with the Shoreham, Vt., Fire Department, lost his life in the line of duty. He was assisting a disabled motorist on an icy road on Dec. 27, 2009. Coe’s professionalism and kindness while responding to calls was noted in the tribute, as were his work ethic, kind heart and bravery. Fellow firefighters from Shoreham traveled to Maryland to join the ranks of the honor guard.

Those present at the ceremony included Coe’s wife, Valerie; his daughter, Gennie, a senior at Mount Holyoke College; his son, Nick, an eighth-grader; Val’s father, Frank Ortiz, along with Ortiz’s wife, Audrey, and his son and daughter-in-law, John and Christine.

At the conclusion of the service, the names of each firefighter were read and an American flag was presented to the survivors. Young, Nick Coe accepted the flag in remembrance of his father.

– article submitted by Frank Ortiz