By Dale Huffman
The Dayton Daily News
DAYTON, Ohio — For more than 20 years, a dedicated Dayton firefighter, now retired, and a Box 21 rescue worker have spearheaded a drive to see that a classic memorial monument is raised in honor of regional firefighters and paramedics who have died in the line of duty.
Rod Longpre, the fireman, and Darrell Perkins, the rescue worker, now are on the verge of realizing their dream.
“It has been a long and arduous process,” said Longpre. “We were working on this effort long before the 9/11 tragedy caused the death of over 3,000 people, including over 300 firefighters in New York City. But that attack on our nation certainly gave our project in the Miami Valley added energy and meaning.”
On Saturday Sept. 11, as the nation observes the anniversary of that tragedy that occurred in 2001, area supporters of the local memorial will gather for an annual fundraising event at Flanagan’s Pub, 101 E. Stewart St. in Dayton.
A donation of $5 will be accepted at the door, and the party begins at 6 p.m.
“We hope, if the good people of the Miami Valley give us a last minute push, we may have enough money so that our memorial can be completed and dedicated by the end of 2010, “Longpre said.
Ground was scheduled to be broken on Sept. 1 at 2 p.m. and if all goes as planned, the memorial will be dedicated Oct. 17 at a permanent site, next to the huge natural amphitheater in Stubbs Memorial Park, 255 W. Spring Valley Road in Centerville, Longpre said.
“Longpre and Perkins have done an incredible job steering the project for over two decades,” said Jim Burneka Jr., a Dayton firefighter and one of the leaders of the regional Firefighter Network.
It was my pleasure to be the master of ceremonies for the very first fundraising event at the Box 21 warehouse near Island Park in Dayton more than 20 years ago. And I am pleased to be a voice in trying to help firefighters reach their $100,000 goal as the campaign edges closer to completion. According to Longpre, approximately $20,000 is still needed to reach the goal.
The memorial was designed and is being built by Jon Barlow Hudson, a Yellow Springs artist who was selected by a jury of artists joined by fire officials and relatives of firefighters who are being honored. The piece is called “Fire Wall.”
Live music at the fundraiser on Sept. 11 begins at 6 p.m. when Nick Mitchell kicks things off. Also on the program will be Three Barrel Powder Keg and the Miami Valley Pipes and Drums.
Copyright 2010 Dayton Newspapers, Inc.