The Merrill Fire Department in conjunction with the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce is kicking off the initial fundraising event for a Firefighter Memorial to be erected in front of the new fire station which is currently under construction at 110 Pier St.
The memorial area will be the cornerstone for the past, present, and future firefighters of the City of Merrill and surrounding towns that the Merrill Fire Department services. This will also memorialize those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice of losing their life in the line of duty while working for the Merrill Fire Department.
The memorial area will include a stone bench with letters displaying Merrill Fire Department below the bench. A monument of a fire helmet will be erected in the middle of the bench area with plaque below. A Maltese Cross, a traditional symbol of the fire service, will be embossed into the middle of the concrete with the flag pole in the middle of it.
This current fund raising effort started as a present for one of Merrill’s own firefighters, Phil Skoug. Cheryl Skoug from the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce initially asked Ted Nicholson to create a water color of Merrill Fire Station #1 as a Christmas/Birthday present for her husband Phil. Ted is the local artist that created the artwork for the Merrill Chamber’s Christmas Card campaign the last two years. Ted and Cheryl collaborated together and thought that this would be a great project for the Merrill Fire Department to raise funds for items not included in construction of the new station.
Prints of the watercolor are available in 8×10 for $25 and 10×13 for $35. Prints are only available for purchase at the Merrill Chamber of Commerce Office. Sample prints are available for viewing at Courtside Furniture, Miller’s Furniture, First Street Coffee Station, Johnson’s Gifts and Home Decor, Merrill Chamber of Commerce, and the Merrill Fire Department. Packages of cards are also available for purchase. Cards are blank on the inside so you can use them for any occasion. 25 cards and envelopes cost $20 and are available at the following outlets:
Courtside Furniture, Miller’s Home Furniture, First Street Coffee Station, Dave’s County Market, Drew’s Piggly Wiggly, Merrill Chamber of Commerce, and the Merrill Fire Department. Credit Card purchases may be made at the Merrill Chamber of Commerce.