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2 firefighters killed in Salisbury Millwork fire 15 years ago honored with memorial

SALISBURY, N.C. — It’s been 15 years since a massive fire started at the Salisbury Millwork, taking the lives of two firefighters.

Victor Isler and Justin Monroe made the ultimate sacrifice on March 7, 2008. On Tuesday morning, exactly 15 years later, first responders and community members gathered to pay their respects.

Channel 9′s Hannah Goetz was present as the fire department honor guard placed a wreath of honor at a memorial wall. Over the radio, the deputy chief ordered all Salisbury fire stations to lower their flags to half-staff. There was also a moment of silence.

In the last 15 years, many new members have joined the Salisbury Fire Department. Goetz asked them why it was so important for them to honor Isler and Monroe, despite not knowing them.

“I think being on the job, this is family, and it’s always going to be family -- whether you’re at Salisbury, you’re at Concord, you’re at Charlotte -- they are always going to be brothers from another mother,” said Capt. Curtis Summers. “That’s how it is in this job, so that’s how it connects me.”

Flags remained at half-staff until the end of the day Tuesday.

>> At 5 p.m. on Channel 9, a Salisbury firefighter from that day will join Goetz to share more about the men Monroe and Isler were, and how he keeps their legacies alive at the station.


(WATCH BELOW: Fire Chief Defends Procedures At Deadly Millworks Fire)

Hannah Goetz

Hannah Goetz, wsoctv.com

Hannah is a reporter for WSOC-TV.