Tenn. City Honors Fallen Firefighters With Plaques
Source Chattanooga Times Free Press, Tenn.
Jan. 29--Two markers with bronze plaques are now part of Fountain Square Park in downtown Chattanooga to honor local fallen firefighters.
It's the first time in the city's history that the firefighters' names have been included as part of the Fireman's Fountain memorial.
Following a short ceremony Monday morning, family members and descendants of the deceased firefighters took pictures in front of the fountain.
Joyce Bettis Puckett, who was married to Chattanooga firefighter Alfred Bettis, attended the ceremony in honor of her late husband. He died in 1986.
"They will always be able to remember who he was. His name is right there," she said.
The fountain was originally erected after two firefighters were killed in the line of duty in 1887 fighting the "Bee Hive" fire at Fourth and Market streets.
"There's never been anything here to explain why the monument was here," said Red Bank Fire Chief Mark Mathews, who helped organize efforts to purchase the plaques.
A total of $7,300 was raised to pay for the two markers, which weigh two and a half tons each and are placed adjacent to the fountain.
Thirteen names are listed on one plaque with an empty space to add more names in the future.
On top of the fountain a firefighter carries a hose preparing to knock down flames.
The second plaque honors the memory of Chattanooga firefighters Henry Iler and William Peak.
The memoria serves as a reminder about the risks of the job.
"When people look at those bronze plaques, we hope they will realize the extreme danger every first responder faces when a call comes in," said Tony Reavley, Hamilton County emergency services director.
Contact staff writer Beth Burger at [email protected] or 423-757-6406. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/abburger.
Copyright 2013 - Chattanooga Times Free Press, Tenn.
