WHY ROSCOMMON? Have you ever wondered “why” the Michigan Firemen's Memorial statue was erected in Roscommon? During the early 1970's, efforts were begun by the Michigan State Firefighter's Association (MFSA) to find a site to build a memorial to Michigan's firefighters. Several areas in the state had been considered including St. Ignace and Roscommon. Barnie Calka, Bill Black, and Art Witkowski comprised the committee in charge of locating a site and getting the statue built. Barnie attended Michigan Fire Chiefs conferences in Midland and would raffle smaller 2 ½ – 3 foot versions of the statue to help raise funds for building the statue. Many others donated monies for the endeavor including MSFA, Michigan Fire Chiefs Association, fire departments and associations, local shop keepers, the Roscommon Businessmen's Association as well as the Roscommon County Firefighter's Associations donation of $2500 to the MSFA. In the end, the Forest Fire Experiment Station site was chosen due to it's proximity to
I-75; central location in the state; to hopefully increase tourism in the area; and that it would help improve the economy in the county. The DNR donated the property for the construction of the memorial and parking. Additional plans were for creation of a prayer court, picnic area, restrooms, pavilion, benches and at one point, even a campground had been considered. Detroit craftsman, Edward Chesney created the 12 foot tall 2000 pound statue honoring the memory of Michigan fire fighters. September 20, 1980 the statue was dedicated before 5,000 locals, dignitaries, firefighters, their families and others from around the state. Situated among tall pines, the statue is of a 19th Century firefighter in helmet and slicker, and depicts a young child held in his left arm and his lantern in his right hand. He stands on a black marble base, on which the names of those firefighter heroes, who have fallen in the line of duty, have been engraved. In the years since construction and dedication of the memorial began, a
wall honoring deceased firefighters from across the state, has been built and expanded with names continuing on the reverse side. The public park portion was completed in June, 1984. The park is dotted with antique fire fighting apparatus, picnic tables, and benches so that visitors may enjoy the tranquility of the space. Apparatus donations included - a hose cart donated by Marysville Fire Department, a fire hydrant donated by Traverse City Iron Works and a pull fire alarm donated by the Lansing Fire Department. The park portion was dedicated September 15, 1984. Care and upkeep of the Memorial site is provided by the Michigan Firefighters Association. Due to the initial attendance and response of those attending the first dedication, it was decided to hold a re-dedication and prayer service honoring state firefighters who had passed in the previous year. The MSFA Memorial Service is held each year the third full weekend of September .
