LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A large crowd gathered outside the state capitol on Saturday, March 30 at 1 p.m. to honor Arkansas' fallen firefighters.
"Courage cannot be taught or summoned," a spokesman said during the ceremony. "It's a gift from God when we need it in the most tough time."
This memorial outside the Arkansas State Capitol symbolizes that gift and honors those who posses it.
The names of Arkansas's 120 fallen firefighters are etched at the base of this statue names read before a large crowd Saturday.
"We honor five brothers here today," the spokesperson said.
Five new brothers added to the memorial this year all of whom died from line-of-duty cancer -- a disease prevalent among firefighters.
The five men honored were Harold "Bud" Planchon of Springdale FD; Wayne Hartness of Conway FD; Bryan Pinkerton of Little Rock FD; Clarence Barr of Little Rock FD; and Nathaniel Crump of Little Rock FD.
THV11 and the Arkansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial have partnered to raise awareness about firefighter cancer prevention and generate donations for a second layer of protection.
The Little Rock and North Little Rock Fire Departments each received 15 new particulate hoods during Saturday's service -- hoods that could help prevent or slow down cancer.
"It's my sincere hope that, not only do we accomplish this, but that we can one day have a national standard that covers all firefighters," said.
As lives are honored, work continues to buy more hoods for firefighters across the state.
The goal of the Arkansas Fallen Firefighters' Memorial is to not only remember those who have died, but those who continue to serve their communities everyday. There are over 18,000 firefighters protecting the great state of Arkansas.
The downtown Little Rock bridges and Union Plaza building will light up in red on Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30, to honor our firefighters.
