The Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial & Education Center is a non-profit memorial and park dedicated to those killed in the attacks of September 11, 2001.[1] It is located in Kewaskum.
History
editThe memorial was signed into law in 1996 by Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson.[2] It is funded completely by tax deductible donations and no tax money was used for its construction.[3] On October 3, 2003, the Wisconsin Legislature designated the week in which October 8 falls as Fire Prevention week.[4] The Saturday of that week is designated the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial Day; the week also commemorates the Peshtigo Fire and Great Chicago Fire from 1871.[4][5]
Location
editIt is located in Kewaskum on US Highway 45 and Wisconsin Highway 28 just north of West Bend, Wisconsin, next to the Kewaskum Municipal Building Annex.[6] The memorial was originally set to be built in front of the Kewaskum Fire Department, but the location was relocated due to concerns over safety[7].
Memorial
editThe centerpiece of the park is a statue of three life-sized firefighters engaged in a rescue situation.[8] One firefighter is dragging a disabled firefighter with another nearby ready to help. A memorial Final Alarm and Roll Call Ceremony is held each October to honor fallen firefighters in Wisconsin.[1] There are benches for reflection and the American flag flies over the park.[1] A tower with a firefighter's bell commemorates the bell that firefighters historically used to signal an alarm and a fire call.[1] The memorial has a smaller bronze statue that it brings to funerals for firefighters who died in the line of duty.[9]
Fundraising
edit
Governor Jim Doyle signed a bill that allows Wisconsin income tax filers to donate money to help fund the memorial.[10][11] The group has held an annual motorcycle bike ride since 2004 to raise money for a planned visitor's center and to raise money to maintain the center.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Marek, Ed. "Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial". WisconsinCentral.net. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
- ^ "Firefighter Memorial Checkoff Bill Moves Forward". Scott Fitzgerald, Wisconsin State Senator. January 12, 2006. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
AFireProwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b "Senator Joe Leibham's 2004 Legislative Year In Review". Joe Leibham, Wisconsin State Senator. January 2004. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
- ^ "Governor Doyle Signs Legislation Designating Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day, Fire Prevention Week". Wisconsin Office of the Governor. October 3, 2003. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
- ^ "Location". Google Maps. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
- ^ Naab, Ronald. "Kewaskum's 9/11 Memorial shifts locations". Washington County Insider. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- ^ "Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial". FigurativeArtStudio.com. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
- ^ "Saying Goodbye in St. Anna, Wisconsin". Statter911.com. January 2010. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
- ^ "Governor Doyle Signs Legislation to Honor Wisconsin Firefighters and Law Enforcers". Wisconsin Office of the Governor. April 11, 2006. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
- ^ Wisconsin 2009 Income Tax form 1A, 2009. p. 2.
- ^ "Join FOX 6 for the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial Ride". WITI. July 27, 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
External links
edit44°22′28.9″N 89°50′58.7″W / 44.374694°N 89.849639°W
Category:2004 sculptures Category:Bronze sculptures in Wisconsin Category:Monuments and memorials in Wisconsin Category:Firefighting memorials Category:Firefighting in the United States Category:Firefighting museums in the United States Category:Museums in Wood County, Wisconsin