Family of south metro firefighter sought
To the editor:
The Minnesota Fire Service Foundation will dedicate a new Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial on Sept. 30 on the grounds of the State Capitol.
To ensure that every deceased firefighter’s families are represented and will receive a flag – flown over the Capitol – to commemorate the dedication, the state’s fire community is undertaking a campaign to reach out to and identify at least one family member of each of the 206 Minnesota firefighters who have died in the line of duty since 1881.
The foundation is working to identify family members of more than 100 of our state’s fallen firefighters, including one from the south metro: George Carleton (year of death: 1892).
We’re asking relatives, or anyone with knowledge of relatives, to contact Nyle Zikmund, Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Chief, at 612-860-7442 or nzikmund@sbmfire.com no later than Sept. 5, 2012.
The fire community is extremely proud that we reached our goal of $600,000 to build the memorial.
The fire community is working to raise an additional $80,000 to cover unexpected construction costs and minor expenses for the ceremony.
Financial contributions to the effort can be sent to: Minnesota Fire Service Foundation c/o Flagship Bank, 7525 Office Ridge Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344-3644. Online contributions can be made at www.mnfireservicefoundation.org. All contributions are tax deductible.
On behalf of the foundation, Minnesota’s firefighters and our families, and everyone impacted and influenced by the sacrifices made by our fallen brethren, thank you very much.
George Esbensen
President, Minnesota Fire Service Foundation
