Excerpted From "The Relay Line", October 1997
Official Publication of the Cincinnati Firefighters Union

30 Years?

By Larry Schmolt

When the editor asked me to write an article about the statue, I began to do some research and I was surprised that the statue soon will be 18(now 42) years old. Do you realize that more than half (probably all) the firefighters today were not on board when the statue was dedicated? Thus, I guess it is fitting to bring all up to date on the history of the statue.

Some 25 (49) years ago, the Fire Division had a Fire Marshall (District Chief), William (Bill) Cunningham, who served in the old 5th District for more years than anyone cares to remember and was liked and respected by all who served under him. At a Firefighters Holy Name Society meeting early in 1964, he began reminiscing about the number of men who had given their lives in the line of duty during the 40 years of firefighting. He remarked that it would be a fitting gesture to these individuals if a statue was erected in their honor. He further added that it seemed whenever a plaque or the like was erected listing names of firefighters who had gone down at a fire, we tended to neglect those other firefighters who had lost their lives at a later date from the effects of fighting fires.

Most members in attendance went home and gave little thought to what Marshall Cunningham had said. But to Paul Kathman, the idea became a challenge. One only had to know Paul to realize that he never backed down from a challenge. For example, at the time that Paul wanted to become a firefighter, entrance requirements contained a height limitation of 6'6". Since Paul was more than 6'6" tall but wanted nothing more than to be a firefighter, I surmise that he met this challenge by stooping over just a little bit at the physical. We all knew which boots were his because they were as long as they were high. Paul, at the time, was serving on Squad 52 (14) under Captain Irvin (Ike) Martin. If Captain Ike told Paul to move the Suspension Bridge, he would get the Porta-Power off the apparatus and try to figure out a way.

Much to the surprise of the members gathered at the next Holy Name meeting, Paul began to detail the type of statue needed, where it should be built, and how he planned to raise money to finance its construction. With a man like Paul leading the charge, it was difficult for the officers and other members of the Society not to get on the bandwagon. In subsequent meetings, there was much discussion as to the type of statue, location, etc. Fountain Square was considered the most appropriate place and was, at the time, going througha complete renovation. The City Fathers were approached, but the majority had no love for firefighters and turned thumbs down. The next choice was the Convention Center but, again, the answer was a BIG FAT NO. If no one else wanted our statue, the next choice seemed to be a place we could call our own - a parklike area to be known as Firefighter's Park. But there was no one willing to donate the land. The Expressway (I-75) was just beginning to be constructed and it seemed there should be some pieces of property around.

Again, Paul took up the challenge and, being familiar with the area around 6th and Central, he realized the expressway would be taking a big bend at this location. Thus it would leave a large area of land open. Paul suggested this spot as a location, but everyone laughed; a City official told him that getting a parcel of land from the Federal Government was next to impossible.

But, as mentioned before, once Paul took on a challenge, nothing was impossible. For the next two years he sent letters to everyone from the President of the United States on down to someone whose job was surveying for the State of Ohio. This persistence paid off. Finally, both the Federal Government and the State of Ohio relented, agreeing to release a piece of property, 20' square, at the southwest corner of 6th and Central. The letter from the government stated that throughout the whole Interstate system, there were no memorials or statues allowed; in keeping with this, it would be necessary to move the fence to keep the statue off the property. Then, the land would be deeded over to the Statue Committee. Six copies of plans had to be submitted before final approval was given. On July 10, 1966, Paul met with the City Engineer who agreed to draw up the plans and deliver them a few days later. However, Paul was never able to pick up those plans. On July 13, 1966, at about 4:30 pm, a severe thunderstorm blew through the City, tearing a part of the roof off the old B & O warehouse (Longworth Hall) located on West Second Street. When the roof fell, it knocked down high tension wires. Paul, who was now a Lieutenant (District Traveler), responded with his company. While walking through the area, he stepped on some hidden wires and was electrocuted.

But, through Paul's efforts, a proper location for the statue was a reality. It now became a challenge for others to pick up where Paul had left off.

Virg Middleton, then the President of the Firefighters Holy Name Society, met with several other members to discuss the future course of action. It was agreed by all that with Paul's untimely death, it became very important that the Statue become a reality. At the next meeting, Middleton, as chairman, appointed a committe to carry on Paul's work. The committee consisted of: Chief Bert Lugannani, Assistant Chief Joe Devine, Fire Department Chaplains Father Franer and Reverend Helfrich along with Jim Hassett, Ed Jasper, Bob Miller, Herm Meadows, Dave Rinck, Jerry Pohlman and Larry Schmolt (the author).

The first and foremost concern of the committee became the cost of the statue and the method to raise funds to finance the project. Bonded Granite Company was located next to Engine 5. Miss Irma Suhre owned the company and, due to the location, had developed an interestin the fire service. She undertook the task of getting together an estimate for the statue's construction, which was slightly more than $5000 (which added up to $7000 total cost). With this figure in mind, the committee set out to raise the necessary funds. Firefighters, along with various affiliated organizations (Masonic Club, Holy Name Society, Box 13, Extra Alarm Association, Retired Mens Association) and help from citizens and businessmen, raised the funds in just over three months. It was time to get on to planning the statue.

The committee agreed on two things. In keeping with the original intent, no names would be placed on the base of the statue, and the statue would depict a lifelike firefighter ready for action. Through Miss Suhre, a well known sculptor, Walter Driesbach, was chosen to design the prototype. Paul Gallagher, chosen to pose as the model, was not available on the appointed day, so Al McKinley substituted. When viewing the statue, those of you who knew Al when he was ATO (Arial Truck Operator) on Ladder 7 (in 1996 became Ladder 14, disbanded and reorganized as Squad 9 in 2005) can easily see the similarity. Also, the members of the committee submitted ideas for an inscription to be engraved on the base of the statue. The final choice was the one submitted by Dave Rinck which read:

"In memory to those dedicated firefighters of the Cincinnati Fire Department who lost their lives in the line of duty."

Within several months, Mr. Driesbach completed the model and, after viewing by the committee, it was sent to New Hampshire where the carving would take place. The plaster model displayed at the Fire Museum is the original made by Mr. Driesbach and the one from which the sculptor worked. Guilians Cechinelli, of the Buttura Granite Company in Barre, New Hampshire, was responsible for carving the statue and adding the inscription on the base.

While all of this was taking place, the committee was carrying on the task of preparing the site. The job of moving the fence fell upon the shoulders of Al Shea, Ron Ehemann, Jack Ashcroft, and Herm Stamper, using materials donated by Swallens (local family owned department store). Due to the weight of the statue, a substantial base had to be prepared and a crew under the guidance of Roger Dorn and Dave Rinck accomplished this with the gift of several loads of concrete from Hilltop Concrete Company. The Park Board agreed to plant the necessary shrubs and trees. Wally Powers, who was then in charge of Public Utilities, made necessary arrangements for the statue to be illuminated at night.

i In April of 1968, the sculptor sent notification that everything was progressing smoothly and that the statue and base should arrive in Cincinnati by the middle of May. Thus, the committee would have to get busy with planning an appropriate dedication ceremony. It was agreed that the date would be Memorial Day (Thursday May 30, 1968) at 10:00 a.m. Chief Lugannani assigned Assistant Chief Joe Devine the task of putting together a suitable program.

On Tuesday, May 28, 1968, the committee, along with Miss Suhre, assembled at 6th and Central to view the assembly of the base and statue. All agreed that the statue was a fitting tribute to our comrades. It was necessary to veil the statue until the time of dedication and, in true Fire Department fashion, one of the finest SALVAGE COVERS was used as the covering.

On Memorial Day, City officials, guests, and most of the off duty firefighters assembled to dedicate the statue. One of the most touching parts of the ceremony occurred during the placing of the wreaths by various organizations. When the call came for the Holy Name Society, a frail, old man weighing barely more than 100 pounds stepped forward. As Marshall Cunningham placed the wreath, several men noted that "he has finally seen his dream come true." Paul Kathman was represented by his wife and son Steve, who today is a member of the Fire Department stationed at Engine 29 (Steve is now a lieutenant on Ladder 19). If at all possible, Paul was there in spirit watching the preceedings and making sure everything was okay.

Services continue to be held at the statue each year honoring the the deceased members of the Cincinnati Fire Department (the annual Memmorial has been expanded to include all fire departments in the region). For several years, these services were held on Memorial Day; later, however they were changed to the second Sunday in October which coincides with the National Memorial day set aside to honor all firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty.(More recently, the service is held on the Wednesday during Fire Prevention Week in October, at noon).

Several years ago, through the generosity of the Fire Masonic Club, a flagpole was added to the site. An American flag flies day and night over the memorial. Anyone desiring to donate a flag to be flown at the site should contact the Firefighters Union or Memorial Committee to make necessary arrangements.

Eventually the committee became a part of the Firefighters Union, which had taken on the responsibility to care for and maintain the statue and the site. More recently, the Memorial Committe has become a seperate entity in order that the site be expanded and the statue moved to a prominent location to overlook the expanded memorial grounds, known now as The Cincinnati Firefighters Memorial Park.