This message comes from Larry Shapiro:
While visiting DCFD Rescue 1, a friend showed me a new addition to the station grounds — the National Fire Dog Monument. I took some photos of the memorial and also found a plaque that honors two brave dogs from the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Here are some excerpts from The Washington Post:
Austin Weishel, a Colorado artist, created a sculpture dedicated at Fifth and F Streets NW in Washington, D.C. It features an arson dog looking up at his handler with deep emotion.
The National Fire Dog Monument had a cross-country tour, stopping in eight cities over 15 days. The life-sized bronze figures were displayed on wooden bases. After the tour, Austin noticed that the wood was marked with claw scratches from curious dogs, adding a unique touch to the display.
Austin first visited a bronze foundry at age 16 near his grandparents’ home in Arizona. The owner gave him a lump of clay and told him to shape it into something, promising to cast it in bronze if he did. A year later, he returned with a small firefighter standing between the Twin Towers, which sparked his career as an artist. This passion coincided with his decision to join a volunteer fire department.
The monument, titled “Ashes to Answers,†is located across from the National Building Museum and just behind Engine Company 2 of the D.C. Fire Department. There are only 81 arson dog teams in the U.S. and Canada, with Washington, D.C., being one of the few cities with two such teams. These K-9 units help detect accelerants after fires have been put out, using their highly sensitive noses.
Although the sculpture is now in place, the memorial isn’t fully complete. Jerry, one of the organizers, mentioned that Phase Two will involve adding a bronze fire hydrant with water flowing into a dish, offering a resting spot for dogs passing by.
It's fascinating to see how art and service come together in such a meaningful way. The monument not only honors the bravery of these heroic dogs but also serves as a reminder of the important work they do every day.
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