By Liz Moomey
liz.moomey@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Twelve years ago on March 7, Justin Monroe and Vic Isler went to put out a fire at the Salisbury Millwork building. It was their last.

Isler, 40, and Monroe, 19, responded to the fire at the woodworking business and became trapped inside. They died of heat exposure and carbon monoxide poisoning.

On Saturday morning, Salisbury firefighters and city leaders gathered at Fire Station No. 5, at 1402 S. Main St., to remember their service.

“If you weren’t here to know Justin and Vic, if you weren’t here before March 7, 2008, I am sorry,” Fire Chief Bob Parnell said.

Parnell said the two were the finest men and firefighters people could ever know. He spoke of Monroe being the future of the Rowan County fire service. He had dedication, energy and positivity.

“He was glad to ride the fire truck every day,” Parnell said. “He was waiting for the bell to ring his every breath. He want to serve the community. He wanted to serve the fire department.”

Isler was a mentor for the fellow firefighters, too.

“You knew that he was ready to share that with you,” Parnell said. “He was ready to share the knowledge and experiences and skills with each and every one of you. Some of you are recipients of that.”

Parnell said he remembers Monroe and Isler every day.

“I miss them every day,” he said. “I think of them every day. If you weren’t here on March 7, 2008, it’s very easy for you to say ‘that’s in the past.’ If you were here on March 7, 2008, it’s easier to say ‘I’ll never forget.’ And you won’t.”

Randy Ferrell, Monroe’s uncle, said said his nephew loved being a firefighter and began volunteering as a kid. He often thinks about what Monroe would be now. The same with Isler who was a husband and father.

“It’s not just today,” Ferrell said. “It’s every day. We always think about them.”

Division Chief David Morris said March 7 is still raw in his mind. As chief, Morris said he feels responsible for the well-being of everyone who responds to an incident. Morris said often he has a knot in his stomach and many thoughts begin running through his mind.

“We’re better today because of Justin and Vic,” Morris said. “And we’ll be better tomorrow because Justin and Vic.”

Walter Ferrell, Monroe’s uncle, said he prays for firefighters as he drives by the station on the way to work. His faith has helped him with the loss of Monroe.

“I wouldn’t want to get on a truck today if I didn’t know him,” he said.

Curtis Summers, fire engineer, didn’t know Monroe or Isler, but their sealed up lockers made a lasting impact on him in rookie school.

“If it doesn’t bring any question to whether you’re going to do the job, whether going to get on the truck, whether you’re going to come up here and do it 110% like Chief Kepley says every day,” Summers said. “Go back there and look at that locker. … If you have any question about your job — doing your job — take a look at those lockers.”

He called the two firefighters “the community’s heroes.”

Fire Station No. 6 is currently being constructed on Cedar Spring Road. It will be named “Justin Monroe and Vic Isler Fire Station and Fire Academy.”

Chief Chaplain Dan Peters recited a Fireman’s Prayer. Families and city council members laid wreaths and lowered the flag at Fire Station No. 5 to remember Monore, Isler and other firefighter who have died in service.

Attendees could sign the topping out beam for the new fire station to memorialize the two firefighters.