Memorial Dedicated to Honor Seward, Neb. Firefighters

SEWARD, Neb. (AP) -- The Seward County Firefighters Memorial was dedicated Saturday at the Seward Volunteer Fire Station.

Firefighter Terry Kamprath said the memorial marks the 125th anniversary of the department. In that time, he said, the department has never lost a member in the line of duty.

The bronze memorial features a firefighter holding an ax.

Fred Hoppe sculpted the piece, one of many he has done. He has created the "Husker Legacy" sculpture on the east side of Memorial Stadium and has sculpted the likenesses of Dolly Parton, President Bush and others.

Hoppe, whose father was a volunteer firefighter in Schuyler during the 1950s, -- said he was really proud to create the memorial. He called the opportunity an honor.