Brockport to unveil memorial monument

"Ground Zero Day" August 18 in Brockport

They gave their lives to help save others. As part of their daily routines, firefighters, policemen and emergency medical service workers face life and death decisions. They face extraordinary situations, like the events that unfolded on September 11, 2001. As a way to memorialize and remember those who lost their lives, the Brockport Fire Department will be unveiling and dedicating a Firefighter’s Memorial Monument.

"We want to memorialize firefighters, policemen and emergency medical service workers," Brockport Fire Chief Gregory Wing said. "This is for everyone who gave their lives and for those who will continue to do so."

During the July 15 regular village board meeting, Brockport officials unanimously signed a proclamation showing their support for the memorial service.

The proclamation states, in part, "many communities are honoring those fallen rescue workers in a variety of ways; the Brockport Volunteer Fire Department and the Village of Brockport have commissioned the creation of a Memorial Monument on Main Street that will stand near the entrance to the village for many years to come in honor of those fallen heroes who unselfishly gave the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001."

The unveiling and dedication ceremony will take place Sunday, August 18 at 2 p.m. in a public ceremony in which workers from across New York state have been invited to participate. The Firefighter's Memorial Monument will be located at Capen Hose Company Station #4, 237 South Main Street, Brockport.

The village has named August 18, 2002 "Ground Zero Day" in honor of those fallen heroes. Village officials ask all businesses in the village to pause as the bell tolls during the dedication ceremony. There will be four sets of five rings each for the heroes.

The monument plaque was delivered to Brockport’s Fire Department Station No. 4 on the evening of June 17, completing a trip from Houston, Texas. It features a black marble plaque with "September 11, 2001" spelled out in stark white inlaid marble.

The monument will feature wood carvings by Brockport's Richard Kron, recreating the world famous photograph of three firefighters raising the American flag on a leaning flag pole at Ground Zero.

Note: Contributions can be addressed to Firefighter's Monument Fund, P.O. Box 254, Brockport, New York 14420. Call (585) 637-1030 for information.