Lieut. Richard Gietz, was a volunteer firefighter in Cumberland for 30 years.
Gietz was 63 when he died from cancer in 2007 -- a work-related illness recognized as dying in the line of duty.
"Yeah, I miss him," says Jones. "He was a great firefighter."
Honour on Parliament Hill
Gietz and eight other Canadian firefighters were honoured in an emotional memorial on Parliament Hill on Sunday.
"It was perfect," said Barbara Gietz, his widow. "It was so honourable. My husband would have felt just like we do -- he was honoured to be a firefighter."
Hundreds of firefighters from across the country made the trip to Ottawa to attend the ceremony.
"For the firefighters to get through the ceremony, it's very emotional to make the presentations to the family," said Robert Kirkpatrick of the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Calgary is honorary host
Even though the event is held in Ottawa, every year a different city is the honorary host of the memorial. This year, Calgary has that title.
"Without a doubt, the (service) is the most significant event that the Calgary fire department has had the privilege of hosting in this, our 125th year of service," said Bruce Burrell, the Calgary fire chief.
"When you're a firefighter, it doesn't matter where you go in the world -- you're recognized as a firefighter," added Dave Carruthers, the Clearview fire chief. "You're part of the brotherhood."
Memorial at Lebreton Flats
And part of a career that carries risk, and loss. "He's in my heart all the time," Gietz said.
Richard Gietz's name will be engraved on a new memorial wall in Ottawa's Lebreton Flats to honour fallen firefighters. It's expected to be ready by the 2012 ceremony.
Over 1,000 names will be on that wall -- a reminder that even though they answered their last call, they will never be forgotten.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Karen Soloman
