CHRISTOPHER (WSIL) -- Friends and family are remembering firefighter who died while serving on the frontlines.
For the second year in a row, the Christopher Fire Department had a memorial parade. Vanfossan died in 2019 while fighting a structure fire with his father Brent Vanfossan in downtown Christopher.
Brent tells News 3 what he misses most about his son.
"Besides his smart-aleck attitude, it's him being by my side to fight fires with me," he said.
About one dozen fire engines and ambulances from ¾ÅÓÎÌåÓý Illinois joined together for a parade through the city and stopped at St. Andrew Catholic cemetery, where prayers, kind words and tears were shed as they reflected on his life.
"Respect, honor and tradition is a big thing in the fire service. And unfortunately, Kody lost his life in the line of duty, so therefore, respect his memory, honor his memory, and keep the tradition alive of all of that," said Vanfossan's best friend, Travis Skinner.
Zeigler Assistant Fire Chief Kathie Flowers says she feels many emotions when she thinks about the day Vanfossan passed away. But she hopes people will remember the sacrifice first responders make everyday.
"There's not a day that goes by that he doesn't cross my mind at some point. Any time I roll out the door on calls of our own I want the same thing for our guys: I want them to be able to come home at the end of every call. That's what's most important," she said.
Vanfossan's father says they will have another water fight event in September. He says the public is more than welcome to join.
