Post / Helen H. Richardson Mike Dahlberg of the Minneapolis Fire Department reflects on his comrades Saturday at the expanded wall of the Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial in Colorado Springs.

It's going to be OK, they'll say.

On Saturday, 10,000 people gathered in Memorial Park to return the kindness and to honor 426 firefighters who died last year in the line of duty, including 343 New York firefighters who died on Sept. 11, 2001.

Each of their names has been etched into a long, black granite wall that is not unlike the Vietnam Memorial. Each name represents life, extraordinary tales of heroism, sacrifice and love.

More than 1,000 family members, half from New York, came to sun-splashed Colorado to hear a bugler play taps, an honor guard fire a 21-gun salute, and dignitaries offer condolences.

"You're the flesh-and-blood reminders of the life and love your firefighters gave up in one moment to protect our communities, our countries," said Colorado Springs City Councilwoman Sallie Clark.

"We're honored to be in your presence, and we're forever in your debt."

The day began with a roaring tribute - 1,000 firefighters on motorcycles, rumbling through downtown. Hundreds of people lined Nevada Avenue and Tejon Street, waving American flags and saluting. The bikes were followed by 120 firetrucks that snaked their way to the International Association of Fire Fighters memorial, which honors union firefighters but not contract wildland firefighters such as those who lost their lives fighting Colorado's voracious blazes this summer.

A bronze sculpture, "Somewhere Everyday," shows a firefighter cradling a rescued child as he descends from a ladder.

On Saturday, the memorial was bathed in flowers, prayer cards and American flags. One note, a tribute to New York City firefighter Philip T. Hayes, was written by a grandson.

"Dear Grandpa," it says, "I will miss you very much. I will miss playing with you in the basement. I loved listening to music with you, especially when we had the disco ball on. I have been practicing my dance moves, and I must say that I am getting pretty good at dancing, thanks to you."

The outpouring from the crowd, the largest in the memorial's 16-year history, comforted Dennis Fanning, whose brother, John Fanning, died in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers.

"We couldn't ask for anything more," Fanning said. "When we're in the shops downtown, people detect the New York accent, and then they're saying, 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry for your loss.' "

And what a loss was John Fanning, one of the most decorated New York City firefighters. He had ribbons the length of his chest for all kinds of heroic kindness. He rescued a child from a burning building, dived into the East River when a helicopter crashed, perched himself on the roof of an unsteady elevator when people were stuck inside.

He was a big shot in the FDNY, chief of hazardous materials. And a prophet.

In spring 2001, he testified before Congress that first responders would be the first people in harm's way in a terrorist attack.

"He is missed," said Dennis Fanning, who made a crayon rubbing of his brother's name off the wall.

"There was no burial," said Fanning, 53, his eyes moist with sadness. "It was because he was never found. So this was the first time I ever saw his name on anything. I never saw it on a tombstone - we might do that later."

Patty Boughton, a 52-year-old businesswoman from Colorado Springs, decided to attend after she met firefighters this week at a Colorado Springs club.

"This makes you think a lot," Boughton said, wiping tears from her eyes. "I think they are overlooked a lot. My heart is with them. They should be proud. I think of them differently now. You see a fire engine going by, and you think it's just another fire, but you realize differently when you come to something like this."

At the end of her speech to the crowd, Clark, the councilwoman, told grieving family members that after they leave for home, their loved ones will not be forgotten.

"In rain or shine, we come by to leave flowers, poems and tears. And, we find peace. ... In gratitude for the service your loved ones have given, we'll forever tend the Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial. We'll cherish it and those it honors. Forever. We promise."