For Immediate Release
June 1, 2005

Honoring Fallen Firefighters

Frederick, Maryland — The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation was created by an act of Congress to honor all firefighters, career and volunteer, who lost their lives in the line of duty and to provide valuable services to assist their survivors. The Foundation created the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Monument in Emmitsburg, Maryland, incorporating plaques containing nearly 3,000 names of firefighters who have died in the line of duty since 1981. The Foundation received no funding or financial assistance from Congress for this project, so they rely on grants and donations from private and business sources. This past summer, the Foundation laid out the plans for renovation of the memorial, including landscaping, completion of a Walk of Honor, and installation of railings, flag poles, and light poles throughout the grounds.  

A local supplier of marble and granite, Avanti Marble and Granite supplied marble valued at $45,000 free of charge to the Foundation. The marble was used for new plaques, which will hold the names of firefighters killed in the line of duty. Avanti worked with another local firm, Architectural Concepts Group, Inc., to perform intricate work for the design and shape of the plaques.  Both businesses donated their time to get each piece of marble in the correct place by the 2004 Memorial Day weekend. A total of 48 pieces of 2 inch thick Imperial Danby marble (8.5 square feet each) were placed at the memorial.

“We have been successful as a business and felt that this would be a good, worthy opportunity for us to get involved with,” stated Bill Werder, owner of Avanti Marble and Granite. “I know many firefighters personally and it is important to pay homage to their service. We were more than willing to help this good cause.”

With the generous assistance from Avanti Marble and Granite, Architectural Concepts Group, Inc. and other generous supporters, the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial is able to continue to ensure that our fire service heroes and their families are not forgotten. For more information about the Foundation and its programs, or to make a donation, visit their website at www.firehero.org and call 301-447-1365. For more information about Avanti Marble and Granite, visit www.avantimarblegranite.com or call 301-874-3900.

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