Wisconsin Rapids (OnFocus) – The visitor’s center at the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial is temporarily closed while law enforcement investigate a case of vandalism.
Firefighters from throughout the state volunteer to maintain the memorial and on Friday, a firefighter reported finding “Black Lifes Matter” spray-painted in black on a pillar at the memorial.
“This was to the side of the wall where all the firefighter’s names are,” said Jim Luty, Firefighters Memorial President. “Thankfully it was not on the granite, but still, it shouldn’t be there.”
Someone had also misused the sign-in book at the visitor’s center and the Little Free Library on-site. All damage has since been repaired.
The center just reopened about a month ago (after closing for COVID-19)
“People use the park as a general walking area, so we want to let people to know that the visitor center is closed again for now,” said Luty.
Anyone with information about the vandalism is encouraged to call Wisconsin Rapids police at 715-421-4444. Luty also requests regular park visitors to report any new vandalism to police to allow for quick recourse.
The Memorial’s annual June event is also postponed to September. Donations and volunteers are always welcome to help maintain the park, which is solely maintained by volunteers and in-kind donations and receives no Federal, State or Local Funding. Donations are welcome.
“Every little bit helps,” said Luty.
The mission of the WSFM, Inc. is to establish and maintain a memorial honoring all firefighters in the State of Wisconsin, recognizing not only those who have given their lives as the ultimate sacrifice, but also to honor those who have and continue to, serve their respective communities.
Every year approximately one hundred firefighters die in the line of duty in the United States. The Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial Board of Directors has chosen to provide a unique and lasting way to pay tribute to firefighters from the State of Wisconsin who have made this ultimate sacrifice while in service to their communities. This tribute has taken the form of a Memorial Park dedicated to preserving their memory.
The vision of the WSFM was to create a park with a natural and scenic setting to house a memorial to our firefighting heroes from across this great State of Wisconsin. The serenity of the setting allows park visitors to be alone with their thoughts and emotions and at the same time realize that their loves one will never be forgotten.
The WSFM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring firefighters from around the State of Wisconsin and preserving the memory of firefighters who have died in the line of duty.
The memorial is located in Ben Hansen Park (2nd Ave South) in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. (262) 893-9543
Author: News Desk
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