Documenting the American South

Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
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  • Monument Name

    Salisbury-Rowan Firefighters Memorial, Salisbury

  • Type

    Obelisk

  • Subjects

    Tragedy

    First Responders

  • City

    Salisbury

  • County

    Rowan

  • Description

    The Firefighters Memorial is a commemorative site consisting of a central obelisk with a fireman's bell mounted atop, a low wall, and benches. The site is dedicated to local fallen firefighters, including Victor Isler and Justin Monroe who lost their lives fighting a fire in 2008. Each side of the obelisk bears an emblem and the word FIREMEN. A nearby flagpole commemorates members of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) who lost their lives during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City. A bench at the site is dedicated to the Locke Township Fire Department, and a bronze plaque in the ground and surrounding garden is dedicated to Chief Sam Brady who served in the Salisbury Fire Department for more than thirty years and as chief from 1985 to 2004. The inscribed wall near the flagpole is dedicated to the Salisbury-Rowan Firefighters, and small stones embedded in the garden honor the names of lost firefighters.

    Images: Memorial setting | Street view | Left view | Rear view | Right view | Bench 1 | Bench 2 | Flagpole | Bronze plaque on the flagpole base | Bronze plaque in honor of Chief Sam Brady | Names on brick walk | Fireman's Prayer by Charles Ball

  • Inscription

    Front face: ERECTED TO THE / GLORY OF GOD / AND MEMORY OF / THE DEPARTED / MEMBERS OF / SALISBURY FIRE DEPARTMENT / FIREMEN / 1944

    Left face: ERECTED TO THE / GLORY OF GOD / AND MEMORY OF / THE DEPARTED / MEMBERS OF / SPENCER SHOP / FIRE DEPARTMENT / FIREMEN

    Rear face : ERECTED TO THE / GLORY OF GOD / AND MEMORY OF / THE DEPARTED / MEMBERS OF / EAST SPENCER / FIRE DEPARTMENT / FIREMEN

    Right face: ERECTED TO THE / GLORY OF GOD / AND MEMORY OF / THE DEPARTED / MEMBERS OF / SPENCER / FIRE DEPARTMENT / FIREMEN

    Bronze plaque on the base of the flagpole: FLAG POLE IN MEMORY / OF THE / 343 MEMBERS OF FDNY / WHO MADE / THE SUPREME SACRIFICE / ON / SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 / ******* / W. A. BROWN

    On the wall by the flagpole: SALISBURY - ROWAN / FIREFIGHTERS' MEMORIAL / DEDICATED SEPTEMBER 11, 2002 / LAY ME DOWN BESIDE COOL WATERS / AND LAY TO REST MY BODY SORE / SEND THE WORD OUT TO MY BROTHERS / THE FIRE IS DOWN, LET IT BURN NO MORE. / CHARLES BALL / FIREMAN'S PRAYER

    Bench: LOCKE TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT / IN HONOR OF ALL FIREFIGHTERS, / MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND / RESCUE PERSONNEL

    Bronze plaque on the ground: PLANTING IN HONOR OF CHIEF SAM BRADY / SALISBURY FIRE DEPARTMENT 1969 - 2004 / FIRE CHIEF 1985 - 2004

  • Custodian

    Rowan County

  • Dedication Date

    The original monument was dedicated in 1944. The flagpole and wall were dedicated on September 11, 2002, and the site was rededicated on March 7, 2011 with the expansion of the site in honor of Isler and Monroe.

  • Decade

    1940s

  • Geographic Coordinates

    35.657560 , -80.486850 View in Geobrowsemap pin

  • Supporting Sources

      City Council of Salisbury North Carolina. ["City Council Minutes"], March 5, 2002, (accessed December 28, 2013) Link

      National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. "Justin Edward Monroe," Our Fallen Heroes, (accessed December 28, 2013) Link

      WXII 12 News. "Salisbury Firefighters," Uploaded March 10, 2008, YouTube, (accessed December 28, 2013) Link

      Wineka, Mark. "Memorial Honors Fallen Firefighters," Salisbury Post (Salisbury, NC), March 8, 2011, (accessed June 28, 2011) Link

  • Public Site

    Yes

  • Materials & Techniques

    Stone, Flag

  • Sponsors

    Fundraising for the rededication was accomplished privately. Battalion Chief Bob Parnell and Mr. Joe Morris lead the campaign to expand the memorial.

  • Subject Notes

    Victor Isler Sr. and Justin Monroe died in the Salisbury Millwork fire on March 7, 2008.

  • Location

    The memorial is located on the north side of South Main Street to the right of the fire station in Salisbury, NC.

  • Landscape

    The memorial sits in a garden area surrounded by a brick walkway and plantings. Chestnut Hill Cemetery is located to the right.

  • Rededicated

    Yes

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