E-mail from Linda and Jerry Vandeveer:
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Law Enforcement/Fire Fighter’s Memorial of Allen County, (L.E.F.F.M.) we would like to extend an invitation to you and your family to attend the Dedication Ceremony of the new Law Enforcement/Fire Fighter’s Memorial which is located at 1001 N. Wells street on Saturday, October 29th beginning at 11:00 AM. The new Memorial, with a cost of $250,000, was built with monetary and In-Kind donations from Citizens and Businesses of our community without the use of state or local taxpayer money. This is one of only seven combined Police and Firefighter Memorials located in a major city of the United States.
The Memorial is home to the names of nine police officers and 16 firefighters who have died “In the Line of Duty”. It also represents 9 Police Agencies (Including ISP, Dist. 22) and all Volunteer and Paid Firefighters within Allen County, for a total of over 1500 men and women.
Honored speakers will include Mayor Tom Henry, Chief Rusty York, FWPD, Chief Pete Kelly, FWFD, and Sheriff Kenny Fries, ACSD. The event will include Honor Guards, Drum and Pipe Bands, police officers and firefighters from many agencies and organizations within Indiana and the surrounding states. Other guests will include State and local dignitaries and most importantly, the Family members of those who gave the “Ultimate Sacrifice” (their lives) in the line of duty.
This promises to be an inspiring ceremony which will live on in the memories and hearts of those who attend.