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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Dozens of firefighters from across the U.S. and Canada were remembered in Colorado Springs during the 25th Annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial.

Every year, the names of firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty that year are added to a granite wall at Memorial Park. This year, 87 names were etched into the wall, including one Colorado Springs firefighter.

"They know that a committment to public service sometimes comes at a very high price," Jeremy Kroto, President of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 5, said.

Thousands of family members, friends and fellow firefighters gathered Saturday afternoon to remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

"To support every firefighter, all 87 of them who died in the line of duty, is very important to me and my family," Lt. James Basile, a firefighter from Chicago, said. "I am also here to honor the four firefighters from Chicago whose names have been added."

Sherri Cash traveled from Nevada to honor her husband, Paul, who died earlier this year after 19 years of service.

"It just means so much that he is being recognized nationally and internationally for all the hard work he's done," Cash said. "His work was very important to him."

As the 87 names of the fallen firefighters were read aloud at the ceremony, family members who lost a loved one were presented with an IAFF flag. Among the recipients were the family membera of Pam Butler, a Colorado Springs firefighter who succumbed to a job-related illness in 2010.

"Pam was my best friend growing up," Gordon Butler, Pam's only brother, said. "I supported her decision to become a firefighter, even though I wished she had chosen a safer profession. But I am extremely proud of her."

Pam was the city's first African-American batallion chief and served as a firefighter for nearly 22 years. Her name is only the second CSFD firefighter to be added to the granite memorial.

"Today was an emotional day," Gordon said. "Bittersweet. But meeting her fellow firefighters has been helpful. It's made the grieving process a lot easier."

Many family members and friends traced the names of those recently added to the memorial, as a solemn reminder of the lives lost, but a legacy that will live on.

"You never forget," Lt. Basile said. "You're a family to the end. It's just part of being a firefighter."

Saturday's ceremony also included performances by the Air Force Academy Cadet Chorale, as well as the IAFF Honor Guard.