Groundbreaking at Tennessee Fallen Firefighter Memorial

Members of the Columbia Fire Department Honor Guard rehearse presenting the colors just before Monday's ceremony. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Order this photo]

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held Monday afternoon for the Tennessee Fallen Firefighter Memorial on the grounds of Clarence "Pete" Phillips Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy on Unionville-Deason Road.

"Rookie firefighters will attend this campus and visit this spot and know exactly, without misrepresentation, what they are aspiring to become and what the risks are," said Collierville Fire Chief Jerry Crawford, president of Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association.

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Among the dignitaries participating in Monday's ceremony were Commissioner Leslie A. Newman of Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, who serves as the state fire marshal; State Sen. Jim Tracy; and State Rep. Curt Cobb.

Chief Jerry Crawford of Collierville Fire Department, president of the Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association, and executive director Roger Hawks of the Clarence "Pete" Phillips Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy, turn shovels of dirt at the site of the Tennessee Fallen Firefighter Memorial on the fire academy campus. They were among several dignitaries who participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking on Monday. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The site for the memorial was dedicated in October 2005. Since that time, firefighters statewide have been raising money, in part by selling memorial pavers.

The original fund-raising goal for Phase I of the project -- a plaza featuring the sponsor bricks and the names of fallen firefighters -- was $225,000, but in-kind assistance reduced the actual cost to $180,000, which has now been raised, part of it by brick sales and part by corporate donations. Tennessee Fallen Firefighter Memorial committee president Ed Kay, chief of the Sparta Fire Department, said organizers hope to have that phase ready for dedication by Sept. 11 of this year.

Kay, who presided over Monday's ceremony, said Phase II of the project will include statues. Several speakers at Monday's ceremony said fundraising will continue, both for Phase II and for maintenance of the memorial once it is opened.

"I just want to say this means a lot to our family," said Marilyn Satterfield, widow of Nashville firefighter Paul Satterfield, who died while on duty in 1998. Mrs. Satterfield and her son Evan, who is also a firefighter, had been present for the dedication ceremonies in 2005, and attended the groundbreaking as well.

Sparta Fire Chief Ed Kay, president of the Tennessee Fallen Firefighter Memorial committee, presided over Monday's ceremony. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Crawford said that he had worked with 15 of the 78 fallen firefighters who will be memorialized. He referenced a Bible passage, John 15:13: "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Retired Shelbyville Fire Chief Garland King, who was one of the prime movers in encouraging the state to build the fire academy, expressed pleasure at the progress toward construction of the memorial.

Retired firefighter Charles Vance delivered the invocation and the colors were posted by the Columbia Fire Department Honor Guard. Fire and Codes Academy executive director Roger Hawks welcomed visitors to the event.