Iowa Firefighters Memorial
The 31st Annual Iowa Firefighters Memorial Service was held in Coralville, IA on June 14, 2026.
The 24th Annual Candlelight Service was on Saturday evening, June 13th with a nice crowd in attendance and a light rain which stopped for the actual lighting of the candles and after things were all cleaned up, it let loose again. Big thanks to all who helped with this very meaningful service.
Many firefighters across the state of Iowa still don’t know this Memorial
Is here in Coralville. It was built here for ALL CAREER AND VOLUNTEER IOWA FIREFIGHTERS. Please friends, GET THE WORD OUT to your fellow firefighters and their families.
Rev. David Arnold of Coralville opened the service with a prayer.
Dave Zimple of Ft. Dodge read the writing called “Creation of a Firefighter”. Everyone needs to read this message!
Dave Zimple also presented “The Bell Ceremony” and IFA President, Kent Brix of Grand Mound rang the bell. Our Bagpiper, Glenn Chatfield of North Liberty played the song “Honor Our Fallen”.
Unfortunately, the rains prevented the video of fires, flames, fire trucks and so many memories.
Next, the candles were lit with the help of the IFA Board Members and the candles reflecting on the walls was beautiful as always. The song played in the background was “Raise Me Up”.
The attendance for this 31st Annual Memorial Service was estimated to be close to 1000. Weather was a bit cool but beautiful blue sky and big white clouds. Again, Rev. David Arnold offered a prayer.
The Iowa Firefighters Association President, Kent Brix of Grand Mound asked those present, how many were attending for the first time. Many hands went up. He then welcomed all who came to remember loved ones and friends.
Special Thanks to the “Blue Line” of Honor Guard for their parts in the service. This is a strong group of men and women who love serving their communities and friends.
Our Bagpipers and Drummers add a very special touch to the service of which is a very old tradition in the Fire Service.
Marla Schultz of Camanche has a beautiful voice for our National Anthem and this being Flag Day and the year of celebrating America’s 250th year we want to say a “Special Thanks” for her beautiful singing
voice.
Thank you Dave Zimple for reading the names of those added to the Memorial Walls in 2026. Jim Thiele of Garner assisted Dave by ringing the bell as each name was read. We also thank Roger Carr of Holland
Roger Carr of Holland performed the traditional “Striking the Four Fives” which started many years ago, as far back as Abraham Lincoln’s time. This is still performed at firefighters funerals.
People that work at the Merchandise tables deserve a great deal of gratitude for minding the store while the service is going on. Thanks to all of you! Mostly wives of IFA Board Members or friends.
To Chief Emeritus Michael L. Kuk of Anacoco, Louisiana we say thank you for another Memorial Service. We can’t thank you enough for all the years you’ve been with us.
We would like to extend a Thank You to all the people behind the scenes such as, Dave & Deb Stannard, who help the engraver and put the books, with names and placement together for the weekend and beyond. A big Thank You to Diana Lundell for typing the biographies up and Steve Troester for getting them on our website as soon as possible. Tyler is our engraver and his wife deserves some credit too. Can’t be easy making all those names fit and not losing space.
We couldn’t get everything done without the strong bodies of the Coralville Fire Department. Men & Women are always there to help. Great group of firefighters! Thanks to Chief, Orey Schwitzer, for his continued support working with the city. John Novak of Traer is always there to help and seems to have anything and everything in his trailer! Thanks John!
Over the years we feel the Memorial Committee Members have learned that this Memorial is theirs along with thousands of other Iowa Firefighters. They learn to work together and have a good time together. That’s just what the families of Firefighters do. There are times we also cry together when a good friend or loved one dies but we must carry on and face what’s ahead.
We added 126 names to the walls as of June 2026 so the total now is 3,910. There are 159 Ultimate Sacrifice names and 95 IFA Past Presidents on the front far right panel.