Memorial Day events to honor lost firefighters

Final memorial plaque to be placed; stair climb finished

Gregory Borg, 509.998.3617 or Roger Libby 509.951.0977

Friday, May 22, 2015 at 9:43 a.m.

On Monday, May 25, Memorial Day, at 4 pm the Spokane Firefighters Memorial Project, led by Spokane Fire Department Lieutenant Gregory Borg, will be dedicating the last of 17 plaques for Spokane Fire Department firefighters that have died in the line of duty. Captain George T. Chapman’s who died on May 25th, 1894 will be remembered on Memorial Day.

This recognition will be held at Division and Main, the site of Fire Station 2 in the 1890’s. Captain Chapman’s great-grandchildren are coming from Nebraska and will be at the event. All 17 members of the Spokane Fire Department who have Died in the Line of Duty, will also be commemorated at this event.

At 5:30 pm, (on May 25th), Spokane Fire Department Captain Roger Libby will be making his final stair climb in memory of the 343 FDNY Firefighters that died on September 11, 2001. The climb will take place at the Bank of America Building (Riverside and Wall).

Captain Libby has been making these climbs of at least 110 stories for each FDNY member over the past 2 to 3 years and will be completing his Never Forget 343 Stairclimb Memoriam. Besides being the culmination of this several year tribute, FDNY Fire Lieutenant Arty Riccio, who lost members of his crew on 9-11, will be in attendance as Captain Libby makes the final climb for one of Lt. Riccio’s crew members.

The Spokane County Firefighters Pipes and Drums will be at both events to remember the lives of these firefighters and their families.

The Spokane Firefighters Memorial Project mission is to honor the sacrifice made by those who served as professional fire fighters who have given their lives in the line of duty; help provide a visual tribute to honor each fallen hero at the location of their final service; and, help to educate the public about the firefighters who served and died in our community.

Contacts: Gregory Borg, 509.998.3617, Roger Libby 509.951.0977