First responders memorial groundbreaking
As a fire truck flew a billowing American flag overhead, members of Butler AM Rotary, politicians, first responders and their families broke ground at the First Responders Memorial and Pavilion at Alameda Park Friday afternoon.
The memorial will be the first in Butler County to recognize men and women from law enforcement, emergency services and fire departments who died in the line of duty, said Rotary president Audrianna Bly.
“I hope people take away how much we want to show we care for our community and all of our first responders,” she said.
Nearly $85,000 of the $120,000 goal has been raised for the initiative, and sponsors were recognized and thanked for their effort during proceedings.
The ceremony began with Jeff Geibel, vice president of Butler AM Rotary and “Rotarian in charge of the project,” detailing the scope and mission of the memorial and pavilion.
“Why did we take this project on? (Because) we have a lot of respect for those who serve us in this community. We wanted to do something to recognize them. We think they deserve it,” he said.
Representatives from local fire, police and EMS entities attended the event.
Kevin Smith, chief of Butler Township Volunteer Fire District, and John Hays, chief of Butler Township police, said they came to show their appreciation for the project.
“It’s nice to have something in our backyard that shows respect for our fallen brothers and sisters,” Smith said.
“It’s nice to get the respect and the involvement for officers who have fallen and may get recognized in the future,” Hays said.
The pavilion is already under construction and will be double the size of the former Holly Shelter at Alameda Park. According to Lance Welliver, Butler County Parks and Recreation Director, the pavilion will be available for rental in June of this year.
Construction of the memorial is set to begin in September, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the memorial is planned for Oct. 28, National First Responders’ Day. The monument will have names of county first responders who died serving the community on the job.
Steve Bicehouse, emergency services director for Butler County, thanked those who made the shelter and memorial possible for the first responder community.
“This allows us an opportunity to gather as a family and remember those who are fallen,” he said. “(For first responders), each one of those calls could be their very last call, and they know that. Let’s hope this helps us generate the next generation of emergency services because we need them, we need good people in this job.”
Speakers, Nick Neupauer and Commissioner Kevin Boozel, recanted stories of firefighters they knew who died in the line of duty and stressed the importance for such a monument of remembrance.
“I cannot fathom the strength and commitment of those firefighters, any firefighter and any first responder putting their lives in danger for the sake of others,” Neupauer said.
Tracy Wilson Boyle, who’s husband, Scott, died in the line of duty as a firefighter, said she knows the pavilion and memorial have been a long time coming, and she’s grateful to those who made it a reality.
“On behalf of the fallen heroes, thank you for your efforts,” she said. “I hope when people come to this pavilion, they not only remember; I hope they say ‘that person gave their life, but so many people are giving their service and trying to make sure there are no more names on the plaque.’ Thank you all for making this happen after so long.”
