A new memorial for fallen firefighters will be dedicated this weekend at Nash Square in Raleigh. The memorial will be the culmination of a dream that firefighters have had for years.
Three years ago, Artist Carl Regutti began working on the memorial. At the time, the Raleigh Arts Commission voted against putting it in Nash Square. However, firefighters raised thousands of dollars for the memorial. The entire project cost about $500,000.
The sculpture depicts an injured firefighter trapped beneath a steel beam and his three comrades rushing to his aid. The memorial will also have plaques that list 164 North Carolina firefighters who died in the line of duty.
The dedication for the memorial will take place Saturday morning, beginning with a 9 a.m. parade. As a result, several streets in the downtown area will be closed from 7 a.m. to noon. The parade route will go from Hillsborough Street, west of downtown to Dawson Street to Nash Square.
Previous Stories:
- February 18, 2003: Firefighter Memorial To Be Built In Raleigh's Nash Square
- February 14, 2003: Debate 'Heats' Up Over Proposed Firefighter Memorial
Reporter: Scott Mason
OnLine Producer: Kamal Wallace
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