By Amy Batista, Special Writer
HIGHTSTOWN — The local fire department wants to honor firefighters who died in the line of duty with a memorial around the bell in front of the station.
The pillars supporting the bell have fallen victim to the elements and are in need of major repairs. In order to repair the pillars and create the memorial the department has started a fundraising campaign via a GoFundMe web page.
“We need to do something soon or all the stone will fall apart,” said Cindy McClenahan, chair of the memorial committee.
The fire department used the bell prior to pagers and sirens for communicating when there was a fire call, according to Ms. McClenahan.
“This bell was hung in the tower of the firehouse and they used to sound the bell when there was a call to let the volunteers in town know,” she said. “After the bell came down, it always stood in front of the firehouse.”
The Hightstown Engine Co. No. 1 has been protecting the town and surrounding communities for more than180 years. The department also covers approximately 15 miles of the New Jersey Turnpike. The company has 50 members, who are all volunteers.
“The new memorial will be constructed out of all gray and black granite and will show the Line-Of-Duty-Death (LODD) members of our company,” Ms. McClenahan said, adding the names would be engraved.
Since 1980, the fire department has had two LODD members — John J. Thompson who died on March 15, 1983 and David C. Lidke who died on Dec. 23, 2013.
“By creating this memorial, the Hightstown Fire Co. and the surrounding community will have a place to reflect and remember our fallen heroes and all of our members who have served in this wonderful organization since 1835,” she said.
The fire department has created a memorial committee to reflect on and show honor toward all those who have passed away in the company and to collect donations for a memorial fund.
The memorial will take approximately one year to finish and the fire department has set a goal to have the project completed by the summer of 2016.
The GoFundMe goal is $12,000. Residents can help by donating through the website at www.gofundme.com/hfdmemorial or by sending a check to the fire company directed toward the memorial.
“The new memorial will be paid through all donations and fundraising activities,” Ms. McClenahan said.
Firefighters will also conduct a fundraiser selling bricks to anyone wishing to honor a deceased member of the Hightstown Engine Co.
“These bricks will be placed outside in front of the memorial,” she said.
For additional information on the memorial, contact the fire department at 609-448-1245.
