Palm Coast Fire Department dedicates fire truck to fallen hero

The Palm Coast Fire Department held a Gold Star dedication ceremony where they dedicated 23 fire trucks in memory of Army Sergeant Luke Stanford this past weekend. The ceremony was held at Fire Station 25 with Sergeant Stanford's family and friends, Gold Star families and fire personnel.

The fire service took delivery of a 2024 E-One Typhoon earlier this year. The fire truck was put into front-line duty at Fire Station 23, affectionately known as Indian Trails, located at 5750 Belle Terre Parkway.

Army Sergeant Luke Stanford was born in Hartford, Connecticut and graduated from Newington High School in 1998. He attended the University of Tampa and later settled in the Orlando area before enlisting in the United States Army in 2004. He completed basic training at Fort Leonard. Wood, Missouri, and was assigned to Charlie Company, 16th Engineer Battalion.

In January 2006, he deployed to Tal Afar, Iraq, where his unit conducted numerous mounted and dismounted patrols. In September, his platoon moved south to Ramadi to complete its tour. He re-enlisted and was serving with the 911th Engineer Company Technical Rescue at the time of his death. Promoted to sergeant for his leadership skills and knowledge, he led the 911th's Alpha Team. He aspired to finish his education and had promising plans to join the ATF. He proudly served his country until his sudden death on October 4, 2008.

For Tim and Carmen Stanford, a Gold Star family, Memorial Day is a day marked by pain and a poignant reminder of their loss. Despite their grief and hardship, the Stanfords dedicated themselves to giving back to their community and educating the nation on the true meaning of Memorial Day. They kept Luke's memory and legacy alive in their daily lives. Since moving to Palm Coast, Tim and Carmen have instilled in their daughter Emma a sense of civic and patriotic duty. Together, they created EmmaLovesK9s, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports retired K-9s and their handlers with food and medical expenses. Emma's passion inspired state leaders to create the Retired Police Dog Care Program through Senate Bill 226, which Governor DeSantis signed into law in June 2022.

The idea of ​​dedicating a fire truck to the memory of a fallen soldier was proposed by paramedic engineer-driver Christopher Strozier, a Navy veteran. Driver engineer Strozier said: “We often forget why we have the rights and freedoms that we do. Dedicating the fire truck to the memory of the Gold Star families is a small way to show our appreciation for what they sacrificed.

“We are incredibly proud that Sergeant Stanford’s memory now accompanies Palm Coast Fire Engine 23 as they strive to provide the best service to our community every time.” They protect the lives and property of our residents and restore stability in times of chaos,” said Fire Chief Kyle Berryhill.

A Gold Star family is the immediate family member(s) of a service member who has lost their life in the line of duty. The title dates back to World War I, when military families flew service flags featuring a blue star for each immediate family member serving in the armed forces. The color of the star would turn golden if the family lost a loved one during the war. In 1928, Grace Darling, a Gold Star mother, founded American Gold Star Mothers with a group of 25 other grieving mothers.

The fire department plans each Memorial Day to dedicate a fire apparatus to a Gold Star recipient whose name is inscribed in the Veterans Memorial at Heroes Memorial Park. In 2021, Ladder 25 was dedicated in memory of Marine Sergeant Zachary J Walters; in 2022, Engine 21 was dedicated in memory of Marine Lance Corporal John T. Schmidt III and in 2023, Engine 24 was dedicated in memory of Army Corporal Raheen Tyson Heighter.