National Fallen Firefighters Assn. to honor Air Tanker Pilot James Maxwell
By Logan Bagett on Monday, April 28th, 2025 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
MARYLAND – The 44th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend will be Saturday and Sunday, May 3rd and 4th, to pay tribute to 70 firefighters who lost their lives in 2024. Among those honored will be Air Tanker Pilot James Bailey Maxwell, who died while fighting wildfires over Grant County in 2024. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation stated that, “James Maxwell was a skilled pilot who expertly navigated an Air Tractor 802, along with numerous other types of aircraft, leaving a long-lasting legacy and big footprint in the commercial aerial firefighting world.”
The memorial will be held in Emmitsburg, Maryland, but those wanting to join the commemoration virtually can find a link within the release at the bottom of the page.
Find James Bailey Maxwell’s Roll of Honor from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, below:
(From the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation)
James Bailey Maxwell
James Bailey Maxwell, age 73, passed away July 25, 2024, while fighting a lightning strike fire associated with the Parasol Fire outside of Burns, Oregon. Jim was born on August 22, 1950, in Enterprise, Oregon. He graduated from high school in 1968 and went on to study at Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, Oregon, graduating in 1972 with an associate degree in air transport technology.
His career in aviation started in 1972 as a flight instructor and charter pilot for Lewiston Aviation in Lewiston, Idaho, and continued for 54 years and over 26,000 hours of flight time. His experience was vast and included aerial application, flight instruction, charter piloting, international narcotics and law enforcement, A&P mechanic, and aerial fire suppression.
He enjoyed spending time outdoors and going fast! He spent time on the Snake and Salmon Rivers and for a short time owned a lodge on the Salmon River. He enjoyed racing sprint boats, stock cars, and legend cars. He also liked playing cribbage, camping, fishing, hunting, going to the Reno air races, motorcycle riding, and taking four-wheeler adventures in his UTV down in Arizona.
And of course, he was a lifelong aviator who found joy soaring through the clouds, James Maxwell was known for his passion for flying and his deep connection to the skies. He spent time in the hangar in the winter doing maintenance on all types of aircraft with family and friends, telling all kinds of good stories. People said, “Jim put on an airplane like most people put on their pants.” He always enjoyed going into new airports, seeking the experience, and sharing it with all his loved ones.
James Maxwell was a skilled pilot who expertly navigated an Air Tractor 802, along with numerous other types of aircraft, leaving a long-lasting legacy and big footprint in the commercial aerial firefighting world. He took many to the skies with his passion that touched everyone and was always willing to share his expertise and inspire future pilots.
His spirit will forever soar among the stars.
*****
(From the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation)
EMMITSBURG, Md. – The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host the
44th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend on May 3-4, 2025 in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This year’s national tribute will honor 70 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2024 and 70 firefighters who died in previous years. The honorees will include the following Oregon firefighters:
Wildland Firefighter Daniel Richard Foley, age 27, of the United States Forest Service – Bly Ranger District, died on July 9, 2024, after completing a District Work Capacity Test.
Firefighter/Paramedic Maurice “Mo” Stadeli, age 61, of the Salem Fire Department, died on February 24, 2019, from complications of cancer.
Fire Planner Brian Robert Wolgamott, age 42, of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, died on November 28, 2024, from complications of cancer.
Detailed information about each of the 226 firefighters being memorialized can be found on the 2025 Roll of Honor.
“This weekend is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary courage and commitment of those who put their lives on the line to protect others,” said Troy Markel, Chair of the NFFF Board of Directors. “We come together not only to remember the fallen, but to stand in solidarity with their families and departments, letting them know their loved ones will never be forgotten.
“Each of these 140 firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others – a profound sacrifice that defines true heroism,” said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the NFFF. “Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to come together to honor their bravery, to stand beside their families, and ensure their legacy lives on in every community they so selflessly served.”
There are two events open to the public at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) during Memorial Weekend.
· The National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service is on May 3 at 7:30 pm ET and will be hosted by Fire Captain Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department.
· The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is on May 4 at 10:00 am ET and will be hosted by actor Jeremy Holm.
Fire service and government leaders are scheduled to address the thousands of attendees at the Memorial Service on Sunday, May 4. The NFFF will live stream both events on the NFFF’s website (firehero.org), YouTube channel, and Facebook page.
There are additional events during Memorial Weekend provided exclusively for the families and fire departments of honored firefighters. These include small group sessions and other activities throughout Friday and Saturday; they are open to the families and coworkers of newly honored and previously honored firefighters.
Schedule
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Candlelight Service
Time: 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm ET
Streaming begins at 7:00 pm ET
Sunday, May 4, 2025
Memorial Service
Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm ET
Streaming begins at 9:30 am ET
Location
National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park
National Emergency Training Center (NETC)
16835 S. Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
The NFFF will provide live satellite feeds of both events. Technical support is being provided by VISTA Worldlink, Comcast Beltway, and Peak Uplink. Satellite coordinates can be found at here. Images from the 2024 Memorial Weekend are here.
**Photo from the NFFF**
