Boardman Unveils Plans for Safety Services Memorial

BOARDMAN, Ohio – Plans were unveiled at a press conference today for the construction of a safety services memorial at the front of the new Boardman Township Fire Station at Market Street and Stadium Drive.

The memorial is a project of the Boardman Lions Club in conjunction with Boardman Police Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 43 and Boardman Firefighters Local 1176.

It will honor police officers and firefighters nationwide who have died in the line of duty – as well as to recognize members of the Boardman police and fire departments, past and present, who protect the community.

The press event also served as a kickoff for a fundraising effort to make the project a reality. Initial donations were presented by:

• Boardman Police FOP Lodge 43 ($2,000)
• Boardman Firefighters Local 1176 ($2,000)
• Boardman Lions Club ($1,000)
• Western Reserve Building Trades ($5,000 donation and $5,000 in in-kind services)

Boardman-based Farris Marketing donated the website for the memorial project, as well as consulting and communication services.

The memorial design includes two pillars representing police officers and firefighters coming together as one to protect our citizens. Lights will shine up through each pillar – a blue light representing police officers and a red light representing firefighters. The lights will shine day and night, symbolizing their tireless efforts to protect the community, organizers said.

Each pillar will also have a police officer and a firefighter holding a flag that will be laser-cut out of the steel for the light to shine through. At the base of the pillars is a reflecting pool that will allow visitors to reflect on the sacrifices made by safety forces.

A wall will be dedicated to each respective service with a plaque honoring those who have died. The names of those who have fallen in the line of duty will be etched into the wall.

Three flagpoles will fly the U.S., Ohio and the Boardman Township flags. Benches will allow visitors to sit, observe and enjoy the memorial, while reflecting on the sacrifices made by police officers and firefighters everywhere.

Individuals, businesses and corporations who wish to donate toward construction of the memorial can do so by visiting the project’s website at SafetyServicesMemorial.com.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.