Fire & Rescue

Firefighters joined by governor at memorial service during La Crosse convention

Published

5 years ago

March 8, 2019

Fallen firefighters from around Wisconsin are honored at a memorial service Friday during the State Firefighters Association meeting in La Crosse

Wisconsin’s governor honored ‘the helpers’ who serve with fire departments, during a memorial service Friday at the State Firefighter’s Association meeting in La Crosse.

Gov. Tony Evers mentioned to the convention audience that his father-in-law was a volunteer fireman, and noted that firefighters have the duty of seeing people ‘on the worst days of their lives.’

The memorial ceremony honored dozens of fallen firefighters from around the state with candles, the playing of a bagpipe, and the ringing of a fire bell.

The association convention lasts through Saturday at the La Crosse Center.

Also speaking during the program were La Crosse Fire Chief Ken Gilliam and Campbell Fire Chief Nate Melby, who is the current president of the Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association.

Brad Williams

A native of Prairie du Chien, Brad graduated from UW - La Crosse and has worked in radio news for more than 30 years, mostly in the La Crosse area. He regularly covers local courts and city and county government. Brad produces the features "Yesterday in La Crosse" and "What's Buried on Brad's Desk." He also writes the website "Triviazoids," which finds odd connections between events that happen on a certain date, and he writes and performs with the local comedy group Heart of La Crosse. Brad been featured on several national TV programs because of his memory skills.