Edmonds dedicates firefighter memorial

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, September 12, 2001

By Marcie Miller

Herald Writer

EDMONDS — Before Tuesday, the tally of American firefighters who had died in the line of duty this year stood at 81.

After Tuesday, it is closer to 300.

Edmonds Fire Fighters Local 1828 and the Edmonds Fire Department invite the public to a dedication ceremony Saturday of the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Edmonds.

A year in the works, the memorial honors firefighters nationwide who have given their lives in the service of others.

In light of Tuesday’s East Coast terrorist attacks, Edmonds firefighters have expanded the ceremony to include a community public memorial for the countless thousands who lost their lives in the tragedy, firefighters and civilians alike.

At the corner of Sprague Street and Sixth Avenue N. in Edmonds, the memorial features a bronze statue of a firefighter titled "Somewhere, Everyday," created by sculptor Gary Coulter. It is a smaller replica of the 17-foot original that stands in the Colorado Springs firefighters’ memorial site.

The memorial also includes an American flag that will be lowered to half-staff when a firefighter dies in the line of duty. A small box near the flagpole will display information about the fallen firefighter.

The memorial was the inspiration of Edmonds firefighters to honor Edmonds fire Capt. Bill Angel, who died from cancer in 1995. His cancer was directly linked to the hazard of firefighting.

A 23-year member of the Edmonds Fire Department, Angel’s name is etched in the Memorial Wall of Honor at the International Association of Fire Fighters’ Fallen Fighters Memorial in Colorado Springs.

The 2 p.m. dedication ceremony will be at Edmonds Fire Station 17 at 275 Sixth Ave. N. in Edmonds.