The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by David Grimes for the Quill
A dream to honor all fallen area firefighters, EMTs and public safety workers became a reality Aug. 1 when a two-ton granite memorial was dedicated at the village park in Gladstone.
Relatives of the late Vannie Keever, Gladstone, who died of a heart attack while responding to a fire at rural Oquawka on April 10, 2003, came up with the idea for the memorial to honor those who ensure the safety of others.
Henderson County native and art director at Leyda, Burrus and Metz in Burlington, Iowa, Roy Dixon developed the work's concept and design.
Dixon spent nearly 200 hours on the piece's design, sketch and clay model. Work on the black and gray granite piece required five months to complete. The memorial is nine feet high and four to five feet wide, with room at all four corners of the base for names of other fallen public safety workers to be etched.
The sculpture depicts a firefighter in action.
A special service was conducted at the park at 6 p.m. Members from the Oquawka, Biggsville, Gladstone and West Burlington fire departments attended.
Gladstone mayor Rex McKinney presided, with House of Prayer pastor Bob Adams reciting the Fireman's Prayer.
While many public and private contributions have been made toward defraying the cost of the memorial, including creating a foundation for the piece by Byron Sebastian, Gladstone, a good portion of the project's total cost remains unpaid.
Anyone interested in making a donation toward the project cost may do so in person at F&M Bank & Trust in Burlington, Iowa, or by mailing it to F & M Bank & Trust, c/o Vannie Keever Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 928, Burlington, IA 52601.
Firefighter Memorial-Mille Bundy (l) and Tammy Mattson (r) pose next to the fallen firefighter memorial, located on the southwest corner of Gladstone's village park and dedicated to Vannie Keever and all area firefighters and public safety workers who are lost in the line of duty.