Heroes deserve to be honored. Several memorials and statues throughout the Treasure Valley are dedicated to the memory of fallen heroes—soldiers, firefighters, and police officers. Your family can view this public art and pay their respects to those who have given their lives to protect us. All of these monuments are open all the time and are free of charge.

        Just east of the Capitol is the former Ada County Courthouse at 514 W. Jefferson Street. Two pillars flank the entrance to the building. On the left pillar, three gold disks display the emblems of the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, and Department of the Navy. The right pillar contains three gold disks with the emblems of the Department of the Navy U.S. Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, and Department of the Air Force.

        Walk through the pillars and you’ll find several stone benches surrounding a flagpole flying three flags—the Stars and Stripes, the Idaho State flag, and the black POW-MIA flag. Inscribed on the right wall below the Great Seal of the State of Idaho is this inscription: “In honor of Idaho’s military members who served our nation in the global war on terrorism. Let us always remember those who paid the ultimate price in the defense of our freedoms.” Below the Great Seal of the United States on the left wall is inscribed “For every fallen soldier who died in a foreign land to protect our freedom and liberty, united we shall stand. America and the State of Idaho thank you for all that you have done for our freedoms.”

        An eagle rises above the two pillars in the rear, where 51 names are etched in white letters against a black marble background. Preceding each name is a gold star. Below the pillars are flower arrangements—reminders that Idaho families have lost loved ones.

        Idaho veterans are also honored at the Boise Airport, with a bronze sculpture of a World War II soldier. Artist Benjamin Victor designed the statue to appear as if the soldier were walking out onto the airfield. Modeled from a local WWII vet’s actual gear, all the clothing and equipment are authentic.

        Another sculpture at the Boise Airport reminds us of the dedication of wildland firefighters. Created by Larry Nowlan, the 8½-foot tall figure wears a helmet and protective clothing, including boots. At the ready, he grasps a Pulaski in both hands. A Pulaski is a single-bladed axe with a grub-hoe on the opposite side. Firefighters use this tool to cut into the ground with the grub-hoe or cut branches with the axe blade. More wildland firefighter statues can be seen at the Wildland Firefighter Monument at the National Interagency Fire Center, which is not far from the airport (3833 S. Development Ave., call 387-5457 for hours and tours).

        A monument to firefighters can be found near the Boise River Greenbelt. It’s next to the Boise Fire Department Maintenance Division off W. Shoreline Dr. near 17^th St. in Boise. The Idaho Fallen Firefighter Memorial is a bronze sculpture created in 2008 by Agnes Vincen Talbot, an Idaho artist. A helmeted captain, with a gas mask slung around his neck, stands looking off into the great beyond, his left hand touching the shoulder of another fireman. The other fireman, kneeling and with an air tank on his back, cradles the body of his fallen comrade, who still clutches a pike pole in his left hand.

        On a slab of burnt copper marble, The Fireman’s Prayer by A.W. “Smokey” Linn, is inscribed:

“When I am called to duty, God, wherever flames may rage
Give me the strength to save some life whatever be its age
Help me embrace a little child before it is too late
Or save an older person from the horror of that fate
Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout
And quickly and efficiently to put the fire out
I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me
To guard my every neighbor and protect his property
And if according to your will I have to give my life
Please bless with your protecting hand my children and my wife.”

        Nearby, another slab of copper-colored granite (resembling fire) is inscribed with the poem The Last Alarm, by Jim Martinez of the Boise Fire Department. This poem is dedicated to the children of fallen firefighters. 

        The Idaho Peace Officers Memorial, located at the Idaho State Police Headquarters, 700 S. Stratford in Meridian, recognizes the sacrifices of those officers who have given their lives in the line of duty on behalf of citizens of the state. The memorial provides a place of solace for families and friends of these fallen officers. The memorial is designed as a five-point badge laid in a red-bricked walkway. The center of the star is the focal point; three sandstone boulders stand proudly at the center of the star. A dark eagle soars eternally above the inscription on the center boulder: “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

        Visiting these public sculptures and memorials can give your family a way to honor those who have dedicated their lives to serving others.

Pamela Kleibrink Thompson has a deeper appreciation for those who serve after participating in the Citizen’s Safety Academy in Meridian. Please give thanks to your local firefighters, police officers, and soldiers for the special job they do.