May 31, 2003
East Lake Fire Rescue Honor Guard members returned from Baltimore Maryland after two full days of filming on the set of "Ladder 49" by Fantail Films. The trip proved to be an overwhelming success as Lt's Bill Edling, Scott Mclain, and Firefighters Jim Campbell and Chuck Coit not only represented the department, but had a great time doing so. The first day of filming was on location at a Baltimore Cemetery where the day began at 06:30 AM and did not finish until 08:30 PM. About 300 honor guard members and extras where on hand. There was a two hour rain delay in the morning but things picked up in the afternoon. "This was a learning experience for all of us. There is definitely nothing fast about making a movie," said Edling. During the cemetery scene the Honor Guard units were used to circle the grave site with flags flying. During the down time unit members were able to meet most of the cast members. "The highlight of the day had to be meeting John Travolta and getting a group photo with him," Edling said. After leaving the cemetery that evening the unit was still able to catch the last half of the Orioles game at Camden Yards.
The second day of filming started at 06:15 AM and took place at Baltimore's War Memorial. This was the medal of valor ceremony which takes place 10 years after the cemetery scene. On this day approx 100 firefighters and 300 extras were mixed together to form the audience at the ceremony. Jack Morrison (Joaquin Phoenix) and Lenny Richter (Robert Patrick) receive medal of valor awards for the rescue of a young girl from a burning building. Baltimore's Mayor and Fire Chief portray their respective positions in this movie. Filming on this day finished up around 05:30 PM.
"The two long days of filming may add up to about 90 seconds worth movie time. We will not even know if we made it into the movie until it is released sometime later this year. Even if we did not make it, the experience was well worth it," said Edling.
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| Honor Guard with John Travolta |
Honor Guard with Robert Patrick |
Honor Guard with Jacinda Barrett |
Honor Guard with Kevin Chapman |
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| Honor Guard with Kevin Daniels |
Honor Guard with wives and girlfriends of the characters |
Honor Guard poses with the firefighter helmet used in cemetery scene | Chestnut, Patrick and Phoenix preparing for the next scene |
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| Lining up of the Honor Guards | The cemetery set | Preparing for next scene | Travolta clowning around between takes |
