The Hundred Club of Connecticut
119 Oakwood Drive | P.O. Box 419 | Glastonbury, CT 06033 CT100@hundredclubofCT.org
Work Progressing On Fire Memorial
Dedication of the
Firefighters' Memorial, which will honor
Connecticut firefighters who lost their lives in
the line of duty, is expected to take place late
in October or in early November. That is the
word from Ernie Herrick, chairman of the
committee which conceived the project and raised
the necessary funds.
Mr. Herrick said that Adams Granite Co., Barre,
VT is presently engraving a polished block
granite with the images of four firefighters
battling a blaze. The original artwork for the
centerpiece of the memorial site was created by
Lt. Paul Walsh of the New Britain Fire Dept. Lt.
Walsh is nationally known for his artistic
depictions of firefighters.
The site on the grounds of the Fire Training
Academy in Windsor Locks will consist of a
plaza-like setting with a brick patio shaped in
the form of a Maltese Cross, the universal
symbol of the firefighting service. The names of
the fallen firefighters will be inscribed on
granite blocks set around the perimeter of the
plaza.
The committee has verified more than 300 names,
according to Mr. Herrick. He is calling on
individuals and organizations with information
about deaths prior to 1883 to contact him at 178
Ravine Road, Storrs, CT 06268.
The 2001 session of the General Assembly, at the
request of Gov. John Rowland, approved a state
contribution of $100,000 toward the cost of the
memorial. More than $100,000 was raised by the
committee from private sources.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held June 12. In
brief remarks Lt. Gov. Jodi Rell said the
memorial will underscore the dedication and
bravery of Connecticut's firefighters.
Noting that firefighters often save the lives of
others, she said that on occasion they are
unable "to save their own lives."
Mrs. Rell called upon everyone not to take the
service of firefighters for granted and
expressed the hope that the memorial would serve
as a vivid reminder that many have made the
supreme sacrifice.
