The Arkansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial celebrated their ground breaking on Saturday, March 23, at 2 p.m. at the Capital in Little Rock. Daniel and I are so excited to be a part of bringing this memorial to life. What better way can we honor the families of those lost in service then to see this dream through.
On September 20, 1975 Daniel’s father, Davey, and two of his fellow McGehee firefighters were killed while answering a call. At the time of his death Davey was only 27 years old and Daniel barely two.
Our friends, family, co-workers, and the strangers we’ve met along the way can all attest to the man Daniel has grown up to be. A man his Mother, Marilyn, is proud to call her son, and the son his Father is equally proud to watch over.
Daniel was never given the chance to know his Dad, the relationship they could’ve had was lost in that fire. Many other families, too many to name, know this hurt and pain. Daniel in a sense is fortunate; his Mom kept his Dad’s letters, journals, and other personal things so her son could know the man she will forever love. Other families are not as lucky; other spouses, children, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles need their something. Some have only a picture, some just the name, but for the majority of these families a memorial in honor of the one they loved is all that they will have.
The Arkansas Fallen Firefighter Memorial has a current list of The Fallen that stands at 99. The list dates back to April of 1889. That’s 99 families that all deserve our heartfelt thoughts, prayers, and help.
The memorial is being funded through donations. They Arkansas Fallen Firefighters memorial Organization has done their best to give those of us willing and able multiple ways to support the project. There have been Boot Fest Concerts to raise awareness and funds. There are things like lapel pins or bracelets that can be purchased with the proceeds going directly yo the Memorial. There are granite pavers being sold. The state offers Fallen Firefighter car tags, and or course they always accept cash donations.
If you’re interested or would like more information I encourage you to visit their website, www.arfallenfirefighters.org. Together we can give Daniel, his family, and the members of the other 99 Fallen firefighters’ families our thanks for their sacrifice, the respect, honor, and Memorial they deserve.
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