Frankfort, Ky. - Governor Paul Patton chipped in $100,000 and turned a spade for a memorial to Kentucky’s fallen firefighters in a ceremony today at Juniper Hills Park in Frankfort. "This memorial will stand as a tangible tribute to those individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty protecting their fellow Kentuckians from the threat of fire and disaster," Governor Patton said.

The concept, construction and design of the memorial is a joint effort of the three state firefighter organizations, the Kentucky Firefighters Association, the Kentucky Professional Firefighters Association and the Kentucky Fire Commission. The memorial is being funded through public and private donations. During the groundbreaking ceremony today, Governor Patton presented the organizations with a symbolic check for $100,000 as the state’s contribution, $25,000 from the Governors discretionary fund and $75,000 from the Fire Commission. The total cost of the memorial is $183,000. The firefighter organizations have already raised close to $40,000.

Juniper Hills Park in Frankfort was chosen as the site for the memorial because of its easy access and high visibility from US 60. The focal point of the monument will be a stainless steel multi-faceted Maltese cross rising nineteen feet in the air. The cross is the national symbol of firefighters. Supporting the cross will be a massive polished black granite obelisk, etched with a collage of firefighters in action. Two polished black granite wings on either side of the obelisk will have the names of fallen firefighters permanently engraved on them.

"This firefighter memorial," the governor added, "is intended to honor not just those who’ve given their lives but it also pays tribute to all of our state’s firefighters who have made countless contributions everyday in protecting the state and our local communities."

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