Fallen Firefighter Memorial Set For September 11
The City of Lakewood will hold its annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial Ceremony on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 9:11 AM at Fire Station #1, 14601 Madison Avenue. At this special ceremony, a new memorial created using two steel beams from the World Trade Center will be unveiled.
“We are honored to have a piece of the World Trade Center serve as the centerpiece for our new memorial,” stated Mayor Mike Summers. “As we honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, we pay tribute to the heroes who lost their lives ten years ago in the September 11 attacks. This memorial stands as a permanent remembrance of those who gave their lives for our country.”
Lakewood’s annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial Ceremony honors those who have lost their lives in the line of duty and this year will pay special tribute to those who lost their lives during the September 11 attacks. All on-duty fire personnel will gather with fire apparatus at the site of the new Firefighter Memorial in front of the station. The ceremony will feature the Cleveland Fire Department Color Guard, the American Legion Honor Guard, the Lakewood Fire Department Honor Guard, the Lakewood High School Ranger Marching Band and the Red Hackle Pipes & Drums. After the ceremony, the Fire Department will host an Open House with refreshments.
Planning for the memorial began in 2009 when a committee of Lakewood firefighters was formed to discuss a new memorial. In 2010, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey began accepting requests for artifacts from the World Trade Center wreckage and Lakewood applied to receive two beams. In May of 2011, several Lakewood firefighters traveled to New York City to pick up the beams which are used as the centerpiece for the new memorial. The Lakewood Department of Public Works began construction in July.
“It has been a pleasure being part of this project,” stated Fire Marshal Tim Dunphy. “This was a true community effort with many city departments, businesses and organizations stepping up to assist. The Fire Department wanted to create a memorial which would honor those who have given their lives and pay tribute to the fact that we will never forget what happened on September 11, 2001.”
The Lakewood Fire Department would like to thank the following businesses and organizations for their assistance in the creation of the memorial: Lakewood Association of Firefighters, Lakewood Paramedics Association, Durr Sculpture & Art, Lakewood High School, Westshore Career Technical Institute, Tighes Insurance Agency, Kantorak Trucking, Gene Dingess Trucking, Bridge Terminal Transport, NYNJ Port Authority, Kotecki Family Memorials, ADA Architects Inc, Donato’s Pizza, AJ’S Auto Body, West Side Auto Paint, Design Surfaces, Hungry Howie’s Pizza, Giant Eagle, Around The Corner, Doughnut Pantry, Incredible Edibles, Caribou Coffee, Initially Yours Inc. and Holmes Printing.