Mountain View Memorial Park in Lakewood has started work on a “First Responders Memorial” at the cemetery on Steilacoom Boulevard. The project fulfills a vision of giving special honor to law enforcement and firefighting personnel in Pierce County who have died in the line of duty.
Plans and Mountain View’s financial commitment came together last June. The design was finalized after meetings with representatives of the Lakewood police and fire departments. The Memorial will include two polished black granite blocks with photographic images of local police and firefighters, engraved by a process called diamond etching. Two additional blocks will list names, end-of-watch dates and agencies of those honored from Pierce County. The area surrounding the Memorial has been set aside as a “First Responders” section officially called the “Garden of Honor” dedicated to those in Law Enforcement, Fire Fighting, Ambulance or other EMS professions. Construction began in September, with completion expected early in 2011.
A public ceremony will be announced later to officially dedicate the Memorial. After the dedication, the First Responders Memorial will be available for the public to visit during normal daylight cemetery hours 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Ron Messenger, General Manager, said, “We are proud to install this memorial on our grounds to honor those which have given their lives while protecting us and our community.”