WASHINGTON —聽D.C. City Council declared Sunday 鈥淜evin McRae Day鈥� as a tribute to the fallen firefighter who died in the line of duty in May.聽 Sunday would have marked聽McRae鈥檚 45th birthday.
Firefighters from across D.C. gathered in full dress uniform and walked from Engine Company Six, where McRae was stationed, to 7th and O Streets where McRae died from cardiac arrest while responding to a high-rise fire. 聽It was a walk of remembrance to honor McRae who joined the fire department in 1989.
During a short solemn ceremony at the site, a wreath was laid and the lieutenant was given a collective salute from his fellow firefighters.
McRae鈥檚 mother, Brenda Hackett, says the outpouring of love helps. 鈥淚t does.聽 It still hurts but it does, yes.鈥� Denise Johnson a family friend says, 鈥淚t鈥檚 emotional.聽 It brings back all those first day memories.鈥�
Kevin McRae鈥檚 18-year-old son, Davon McRae, wants to join the fire department and to continue his father鈥檚 legacy.聽 He says he鈥檒l be joining the next firefighter鈥檚 academy class.
Davon McRae says his dad鈥檚 loss makes him want to join the fire department even more. 鈥淭o honor him and be like him,鈥� he says and adds, 鈥淚鈥檓 a proud son.聽 My father was a hero.鈥�
Also Kevin McRae鈥檚 cousin, Michael McRae聽wants to become a firefighter.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just something I always wanted to do when I was younger.聽 I looked at Kevin (McRae)聽and Jamie (James McRae, III) and wanted to follow the tradition.聽 And I feel it鈥檚 something in my heart that I want to do,鈥� he says,
This is not the family鈥檚 first firefighter to die in the line of duty.聽 Seven years ago, Kevin McRae鈥檚 cousin (James McRae, III) died after going into cardiac arrest.聽 He was 34 years old.
James McRae, II says, 鈥淢y son died seven years ago and this is my nephew and it hurts, it hurts.聽 But I鈥檓 proud of both of them. 鈥�
