Firefighters memorial under way in Wisconsin Rapids
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (October 13, 2005) – This state will become the final one to erect a memorial to its firefighters upon completion of the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial under construction in Ben Hansen Park along the Wisconsin River.
County Materials donated 4,500 units of Heritage Collection™ Series designer concrete brick in Coffee Blend color with a smooth facing style to the project, to which organizers hope to add a visitors center next year. The center will have an interactive display offering information on every fire department and firefighter in the state.
“Being a business owner myself, it means a lot to have County Materials make such a generous donation to such a worthy goal,” said Corey Johnson, director of the foundation seeking funding and donations for the project. “This will mean nothing but good for Wisconsin Rapids. Any tourism we can bring into the city will be a good thing.”
The memorial currently consists of a life-size bronze statue of two firefighters pulling a fallen comrade to safety. This is set in the center of a 30-foot by 30-foot Maltese Cross, the traditional symbol of firefighters. The Heritage Collection™ brick wall borders the back, to which the names of firefighters killed in the line of duty will be affixed.
County Materials, founded in 1946, operates 30 locations serving the Midwest. The family-owned, American-based company is an industry leader in the manufacture and distribution of concrete block, brick, ready-mix, hollowcore, pipe, pavers, retaining walls and Aggregate finish products for residential, commercial and municipal construction and landscaping.