Photo by Skip Lawrence The names of 103 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2008 were honored during the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg Sunday.

Among those being honored were Jarrett A. Dixon and Brian Dennis Neville of the Baltimore County Fire Department. Dixon, 36, died Jan. 12, 2008, from a heart attack, after experiencing chest pains during training a few days before. Neville, 32, was found dead on the morning of Oct. 16, 2008, by his colleagues.

The ceremony on the campus of the National Emergency Training Center lasted about 2 1/2 hours. Each firefighter's name was read aloud and family members stepped forward to receive a folded American flag and a red rose. There were several musical selections and written tributes. At the end a flock of white doves was released.

"It was beautiful, it was amazing, it was everything we could have hoped for," Jake Charlson said. His brother, Scott Charlson, died in an Aug. 5, 2008, helicopter crash in northern California. Charlson and his parents, Rick and Nina, came from Oregon to accept the flag in Scott Charlson's honor.

Eight other people died in that helicopter crash, including Matt Hammer. His wife, Monica Hammer, also came in from Oregon.

"The ceremony was really good, it's always emotional," she said. "But it's so great to honor them."

The names of 19 firefighters who died in previous years will be added as well.