Memorial Tribute to Firefighter Marine Killed in Iraq

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Sergeant Brian Dunlap was a both a firefighter and a member of the United States Marine Corps.  He tragically died on September 24, 2005 in Al Taqaddum, Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated during combat.  Recently, Sgt. Dunlap's firefighter and military uniforms were inducted into the San Diego Hook and Ladder Firehouse Museum and a scholarship was established in his name during a memorial celebration at the historic museum.

Brian Dunlap - Firefighter and Marine

The 34 year old Marine enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1995 and was honorably discharged in 2002.  He then became a firefighter at the USMC's Camp Pendleton for the California Department of Forestry (CDF).  In 2004, Sgt. Dunlap re-enlisted as a reservist, joining the Marine Forces Reserve's 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regimen, 4th Marine Division based out of Los Alamitos, California, and was soon deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Upon his death, Brian Dunlap became the first firefighter and Marine from California to be killed during a war.

During his time as a CDF firefighter, Dunlap helped to found the San Diego Firefighters Emerald Society, a pipes and drums group.  Bill Waugaman, a fellow firefighter and Emerald Society member, fondly recalls, "He was musically challenged like the rest of us, but he was the Drill Master for the Color Guard.  He was the one that made sure that we did everything by the numbers in the appropriate manner in the right tune."

Brian Dunlap Memorial Celebration

Waugaman helped to organize the memorial tribute, which was sponsored by the San Diego Firefighters Emerald Society.  The ceremony was a tribute to Sgt. Dunlap's life, and although there were many solemn moments, the tone of the gathering was that of celebration, as family and friends joined together to share music, refreshments, and stories of the charismatic man they all loved.  Waugaman explains, "We've already done the honors.  We've done the rifle-firing.  We've cried.  We've played the pipes.  This is our chance to get up and celebrate him for his uniqueness, what he brought to the table, and just enjoy the guy."

Laughter erupted several times during the ceremony as fellow firefighters and Marines recalled stories that highlighted Dunlap's love for life and playful nature.  One story in particular recounted a time when Brian Dunlap was fighting a wildfire and decided that he wanted to eat a pizza.  Determined to get it, he persuaded and coached a pizza delivery man on how to get around police barricades.  His brother Patrick Dunlap and mother Dorothy had never heard this story before and were delighted to hear it, with Patrick laughingly saying, "It was quite interesting when he was firefighting to get a pizza on the fire line.  I wouldn't put it past him."

In addition to the induction of his uniforms into the fire museum, a memorial scholarship fund in Sgt. Dunlap's name was unveiled during the ceremony.  The Brian E. Dunlap Memorial Fund will give future high school students the opportunity to further their education.