Wildland Firefighters Monument - Dedication
BOISE, IDAHO: The drone of approaching firefighting aircraft -- a C-130 and a smokejumper DC-3 -- brought a hush over the crowd assembled for the dedication of the Wildland Firefighter Monument last Thursday. The sound, familiar to everyone in the wildland firefighting community, evoked a flood of memories of life on the firelines, of camaraderie that lasts a lifetime. But on this day, as the planes passed slowly overhead, it wasn't a shower of retardant or parachutes that dropped from the bellies of the planes; instead, they released a cluster of purple streamers which drifted gently through the sky, coming to rest amid the colorful spring wildflowers in the new Monument at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC).
Firefighters, their families and friends, came from across the nation to dedicate this monument in honor of America's wildland firefighters and the people who support them. Interagency hotshot crews, Native American firefighters, smokejumpers, representatives of state and local fire, rescue and emergency medical teams, pilots and military support staff were present.
Families and friends of those who had lost their lives, and firefighters who will long be remembered for their courage and commitment, were also in attendance. The audience listened intently, as representatives of all of the wildland firefighting community paid tribute to the efforts and sacrifices of wildland firefighters.
John Reynolds, the Regional Director of the National Park Service's Pacific West Region, spoke of the army of people it takes to manage wildlfires and suppress prescribed fires
when they go beyond their limits. In reference to recent fires, he said, "It is an anguish that each of us must bear. We carry the responsibility to do it right every time."
Jim Kurth, Director of Refuges for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, talked about the agencies' guiding principals to be stewards of the land. Wildland firefighters past, present and future, he said, "have touched countless lives." He noted that the people whose names appear on engraved bricks throughout the monument serve as an inspiration for everyone in the wildland firefighting community.
Bureau of Land Management Assistant Director, Nina Hatfield, focused on the importance of interagency cooperation, exemplified by wildland firefighting efforts. "The yellow shirts cover the agency identifiers," she said. "The spirit of the monument lives in the many volunteers and contributors who came together to make it a reality." Hatfield related the yearly renewal of the monument's native vegetation to the annual commitment of the firefighting community to protect natural resources.
Department of the Interior Under Secretary Sylvia Baca, representing Secretary Bruce
Babbitt, and Department of Agriculture Under Secretary James Lyons, representing Secretary
Dan Glickman and Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck, presented the Pulaski Award to the
employees of the National Interagency Fire Center. Baca remarked that the Pulaski, a
unique tool used in wildland firefighting, is like firefighters themselves, "strong, durable, and
self-reliant."
Accepting the award on behalf of the NIFC agency directors, Dennis Pendleton, Forest
Service Director at NIFC, stated that the award was earned by all of the employees at NIFC, representing all aspects of the fire management program. "It's the collective energy of you, NIFC's employees, that made this award happen," Pendleton said.
Retired NIFC director, Jack Wilson, recognized the many NIFC employees who contributed countless hours of volunteer labor to building and maintaining the Wildland Firefighters Monument, especially Hugh Carson, Al Carriere, Bill Mitchell. He also recognized NIFC
employees Laurel Simos, Mike Apicello and Tory Majors for their commitment to the monument from its inception in 1995 through 2000.
As the ceremony drew to a close, Mike Apicello, NIFC Public Affairs Officer, former smokejumper and firefighter, gave a brief benediction, followed by a moment of silence.
Boise BLM Smokejumpers then opened the monument and ushered visitors along walkways lined with commemorative markers and colorful native wildflowers.
In the heart of the monument stand three eight-foot bronze statues of firefighters, each carrying a tool of the trade. Sculptor Larry Nowlan began working on these heroic size figures while he was artist-in-residence at Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site in New Hampshire. He completed them in his Vermont studio early this spring. They now reside permanently in the monument.
Surrounded by wildflowers, the statues stand in silent tribute to all wildland firefighters. The rustle of aspen leaves and peaceful sound of water cascading over rocks, make the Wildland Firefighters Monument a perfect place to stop and reflect on the natural beauty of our public lands, and the dedication of those who toil tirelessly amid smoke and flames season after season to protect them.
Monument Links
Monument | Map | Description | Dedication
