Oct. 28 -- The Salina Fire Department unveiled Tribute Plaza on Saturday morning as a tribute to firefighters in Salina and beyond.
About 100 people, including retired and current firefighters, attended the ceremony at Tribute Plaza, located next to Fire Station 1 at 222 W. Elm St. The plaza contains a statue of a firefighter above a plaque that reads, "To those who have served and to those who carry on."
Retired Capt. Bob Budke, retired Fire Engineer Michael Middleton, and Capt. Foley served on the committee that oversaw the creation of Tribute Plaza. The project was funded through private donations and city funds. Former Salina Fire Chief Larry Mullikin originally envisioned Tribute Plaza about four years ago.
The plaza contains the U.S. flag, the Kansas flag and the Salina flag. It also displays red bricks in the form of a Maltese Cross, a symbol of the fire service, that are marked with names of people who have served in the Salina Fire Department. Salina Fire Captain Josh Foley said the plaza seeks to honor firefighters who have contributed to the department's culture.
"None of the names have any rank associated or any years of service," he said. "The whole idea is that all of these names have a contribution to the ideal that is embodied within the statue."
Foley added that Tribute Plaza will mean different things to different people.
"By virtue of being art, the sculpture and Tribute Plaza are going to be important to firefighters, both retired and current, and the public for different reasons," he said. "For me, I like the idea of having a place to remember the job, the culture, and especially the people who make up the fire service."
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