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Colorado's Fallen Firefighters Remembered In Special Ceremony

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4) - In a moving tribute the state of Colorado honored men and women who risk their lives every day.

Donald Felton from Southern Park County Fire, Jeff Davis from Platte Canyon Fire and three others were added to the wall at the Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Lakewood on Saturday.

"It happens every day when firefighters go out and you never know which call is the one that's going to go badly," said a firefighter in attendance.

"Every firefighter risks their lives day in and day out. There's a level of commitment and contribution that I don't think was sufficiently recognized in this state," Gov. John Hickenlooper said.

Hickenlooper came out to pay tribute to the names added to the memorial. As he spoke the fallen firefighter's family members wiped away tears remembering their loved ones.

Those still putting their lives at risk remember Davis' life and others with a black stripe across their badge.

"We shroud our badges in commemoration with a death of a fire serviceman. So today we put the shroud on the badges for this ceremony," a firefighter said.

Surviving family members were given flowers. Standing to support them were current serving firemen and women. The U.S. flag blew effortlessly in the background. The service and corresponding memorial symbolizes lives lost, but not forgotten.

"We'd rather there not be any names added to the memorial but we do feel like it's important for us to be here for the family and the fire departments," the firefighter said.

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