Stolen memorial plaques for fallen Edmonton firefighters replaced and reinforced – Edmonton

The plaques honoring the fallen Edmonton firefighters are back. Bronze memorials were stolen from Old Strathcona last year. Thanks to the work of the families of the deceased, the array has been replaced and is stronger than ever.

Lisa Hornland is the daughter of Les Ashton, a firefighter who fell in Edmonton. She hopes that the new bronze memorial plaques installed at the Edmonton Fire Force Memorial Center will remain in place.

In July, several were stolen, likely sold for scrap.

“These men and women gave their lives for us, so they deserve to be recognized on this placard, and for someone to come take it and insult it… it’s cruel, ‘ said Hornland.

The theft was a blow to the families of lost loved ones and to the Edmonton Fire Service firefighters.

“When we learned they had been stolen, it was very difficult for us to serve them,” said EFRS Director Joe Zatylny. “We had a lot of people ask why. (They are also) worried about raising money and possibly replacing them. “

Hornland’s father was an Edmonton firefighter for over 20 years. He died of cancer in 2002. His name is placed on one of those signs.

“I was shocked,” she said. “It means so much to me and it hurts that someone has taken my dad’s name.”

Soon after they left, Hornland started raising funds.

“I raised $11,000 for it,” she said. “They replaced the bell tower and that cost about $43,000.”

Her donations and other donations have helped the Edmonton Firefighters Memorial Association with its restoration work.

Robb Cavell, Director of the Edmonton Firefighters Memorial Association, said: “We put an important security feature on it, as well as enhancing its appearance.

“It used to be just nailed patches and that’s the stuff that was taken away,” says Hornland. “Now they’ve assimilated it all and wrapped it all up, so it’s definitely anti-theft.”

It’s an investment Hornland and many others hope will succeed in keeping their loved ones’ names where they belong.

“I hope this is the last time anything is taken from this memorial,” Hornland said.

After the thieves took the placards with the names of the fallen firefighters, they took other information sheets. The Edmonton Firefighters Memorial Association said it is continuing to raise money to replace those.