Memorial Foundation Report
The 2025 Candlelight and Sunday Services honored 104 Firefighters, 10 of those in the line of duty were completed October 4th and 5th. Rough estimates of attendance numbers were close to 500 for the Candlelight Service and over 600 for the Sunday service. All 500 of our new chairs were used on Sunday morning, with dozens accepting a standing position. Special thank you to over a dozen of FFAM, IAFF and Funeral Response Team members which assisted this year. It is humbling to realize that one year of preparation by so many goes into delivering 2 hours of combined service time.
Between the 1st and 2nd printing of the 2025 memorial shirts, plus several extras being sold, sales this year approached 425. We greatly appreciate all of that support. The weather fully cooperated and both services were held on site. Looking ahead to October 3rd and 4th, 2026, planning and preparation are already underway. The next Foundation meeting is on December 7th in Sedalia.
Our Facebook page continues with great viewing numbers. Between October 1st and November 1st, we documented 8,438 views. Granted, half of those were during the 4-days following our two services. We now have over 1,000 followers.
Special thanks to Firestorm Charities for sponsoring the Foundation this year with their 911 Tribute to Heroes ride and special events. The ride started at Arcadian Moon Winery near Higginsville and concluded at the Branded Steakhouse and entertainment venue in Richmond. Kyle Harrison, President of Firestorm Charities, presented the Foundation with a check for $6,000 at the October 12th FFAM Board meeting in Sedalia.
Some breaking news that Gail just came across. The Statue, which the Memorial Foundation gifted to New York City following September 11th, was moved again. The following is a copy and paste from the “Advance Group” which moved the statue to the FDNY Training Center. If you are interested in seeing the entire notice with several pictures, you can go to theadvancegrp.com/the-kneeling-firefighter-relocation-2025.
The Advance Group
The Advance Group completed the meaningful relocation of the statue known as The Kneeling Firefighter from its prior location on 43rd Street to its new home at the Fire Academy on Randall’s Island. This move reflects not only a logistical achievement, but also a deep respect for the legacy the statue represents.
The Statue’s History
The Kneeling Firefighter was originally commissioned by the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri and manufactured by Matthews International in Parma, Italy. The sculpture arrived in New York on September 9, 2001, bound for Missouri—but air travel was halted following the attacks of September 11. In light of the great loss of 343 FDNY firefighters that day, the statue was donated to the people of New York as a tribute. For years, it stood on East 43rd Street, quietly honoring those who answered the call, until now.
Why the Move
As our city’s needs evolve and memorial spaces expand, relocating the statue to the Fire Academy on Randall’s Island brings it into closer connection with the training environment for our heroes today. It offers a setting where future first-responders can reflect on the sacrifices made before them—and a location within a campus dedicated to service.
A Moment of Reflection
Moving a statue isn’t just about transportation—it’s about honoring legacy. The Kneeling Firefighter represents courage, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of first-responders. By relocating it thoughtfully, we help ensure its visibility, significance, and meaning are preserved for generations to come.
At The Advance Group, we see ourselves as more than logistics and installation—we see ourselves as stewards of meaningful work. We’re honored to have played a part in this relocation and grateful to everyone involved who brought it to life.
Thank you to all the brave first-responders, past and present. And thank you to our team for helping make this relocation a success.
My thoughts
Meanwhile, back at the ranch and speaking only for myself, this brought up several thoughts, questions, reflections and some varied emotions. This takes the statue out of the public domain and positions it solely within the FDNY. I had to remind myself that when you give a gift without restriction, you trust the receiver will become a wonderful steward of the hopes and dreams behind the decision to make the gift. If the greater good of the statue is to inspire the current and next generation of the FDNY, then that is what needs to be done. Their predecessors gave the ultimate sacrifice at that time, and those remaining on the job continued to serve through terrible difficulty. If this inspires current and future generations within FDNY on a daily basis while training for the future, that is more important than the photo op of a tourist visiting the big apple for a couple of days.
If you need to contact us, we have several options. For general information, engraving and shopping, our website is mofirememorial-museum.org/ Our mailing address is 5550 Dunn Drive, Kingdom City, MO 65262. For email, please use info@mofirememorial-museum.org. This is a shared platform in checking on messages, so please give it a few days to respond. If it is urgent or you prefer to save time, please call 314 709 0760.
Thank you for your time and continued support of your memorial and future museum.
FFAM
