Iowa Firefighters Memorial
The 28th Annual Iowa Firefighters Memorial Service held June 11th is now in the history books. The 21st Annual Candlelight Service was held Saturday night June 10th at 9:00 p.m. Around 250 attended the candlelight service with no rain!
Rev. David Arnold was our leader in faith for the service and gave a meaningful message. A slide show of the many aspects of firefighting was shown and music was enjoyed. The candles were lit and viewed on the walls. A special bell ceremony was heard and a solo bagpipe playing for the first time. The winds picked up just as they were about to light the candles but then calmed down again!
The Sunday morning attendance for the 28th Service was well over 1000.
Iowa Firefighters Association President, Chuck Raska, welcomed everyone and asked all to help pay tribute to our beloved firefighters. The Memorial Committee lost one of their own recently. Jack Runge passed away on May 18, 2023 and was a dedicated member of the Memorial Committee and worked closely with Mike & Joan to maintain the mission of the memorial. Those attending observed a moment of silence to remember their brother. He read all of the names going on the walls for several years.
This year we added 135 new names to the walls so as of June 2023 there is a total of 3,489 names on the walls. Three IFA Past Presidents were added this year to the right front panel which is reserved for Past Presidents. Nick Riley of Traer; Ron Wilson of Storm Lake and Cliff Renslow of Stuart are now on that panel.
Thanks to all of you! Iowa Firefighters Association President, Chuck Raska, and his board of directors along with their spouses and a good many others from all over the state of Iowa made this service go smooth. We can’t do it without all of you. Many of you drove long distances to be present and remember and help out. The fire service family is truly blessed.
We would also like to thank all those who continue to support the Memorial Wall Expansion Project. The first ten rows on the last available panels are already filled up with names. Every little bit helps, like the several fund raisers that have been going on over the year. Please, keep up the good work!
We need to give a special “THANK YOU!” To Mike Kuk, our long-time musician for coming to Iowa from Louisiana each year! We thank Glenn Chatfield and “The Iowa Firefighters Memorial Pipes & Drums”. Glenn thought they needed that name since they’ve been with us so long! Great job and thanks to each and every one of you!
Thanks again, 3 years now, but graduation Means College is ahead for our singer of the National Anthem. We wish her the best! Halli Weddle just happens to be the granddaughter of Tom & Ellen Campbell.
Blessings and thanks go out to Rev. David Arnold for his continued prayers and messages for both services. He’s a big part of the firefighter family and we greatly appreciate all of the time he shares with us.
The names this year were read by Jason Barrick of Iowa Falls, Gene Evans of Osage, Mark McNees of Atlantic and Tom Campbell of Panora rang the bell.
Coralville Fire Chief, Orey Schweitzer, and his department of men and women do the heavy work before and after the service. They set up the tents and chairs, etc. and always seem to be smiling while they work. Thank You folks!
Special thanks to John Novak of Traer for all his support and help throughout the year and especially this weekend. His trailer is so nice and organized!
We also want to say “Thank You” to Diana Lundell for adding all of the new biographies to the website and she updates any errors people have found. Don’t be afraid to let us know if you see anything incorrect. We are all human and we all make mistakes! She has done a splendid job since the beginning of this Memorial in 1994 when it was dedicated.
Another couple who works behind the scenes is Dave & Deb Stannard. There just aren’t enough words to share with you about these two people. Thank you so very much!
This year won’t be forgotten anytime soon with the loss of 4 friends who worked with us many times. They will be missed but in our hearts for years to come. We thank the whole Memorial Committee and appreciate all that you did to help out.
NEXT CUT-OFF DATE is Friday, May 10, 2024. The 29th Annual Iowa Firefighters Memorial Service will be held June 9, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at the Coralville site. Candlelight Service will be the night before.
PLEASE BE SURE TO MAIL THE APPLICATION FORM TO US BEFORE THE DEADLINE SO IT ARRIVES BEFORE May 10th. ALWAYS TYPE OR PRINT CLEARLY THE PERSON’S NAME SO WE CAN READ IT AND GET IT CORRECT ON THE WALL. (PLEASE CHECK WITH THE FAMILY IF YOU ARE IN QUESTION)
Send form or contributions to: Mike Reuman, Chairman, Iowa Firefighters Memorial Committee, and P.O. Box 7, Traer, Iowa 50675.
The criteria for getting a name on the wall (outside the line of duty) is the firefighter must have served a minimum of 10 years on an Iowa Fire Department or died while an active member of an Iowa Fire Department. Currently the cost to have a name added to the wall is $100 and must be paid by the family or the fire department. A form for placing a departed firefighters name on the Memorial Wall can be found on the Memorial Website www.iowafirememorial.org
Their name will be engraved on the wall just the way it is written on the form. Line of Duty Deaths are paid for by the Memorial. They also need a completed form for the LODD’s.
MEMORIAL WALL EXPANSION CONTRIBUTIONS:
(Be sure to mark your checks for Memorial Wall Expansion)