Expansion of the New Hampshire Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial

Honoring Our Heroes: The Expansion of the New Hampshire Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial

Since its creation in 2006, the New Hampshire Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial has stood as a place of remembrance — a solemn, beautiful space to honor the men and women of the NH Fire Service who gave their lives in the line of duty.

When the memorial was built, no one could have imagined that less than two decades later we would reach the limit of space available for the names of our fallen brothers and sisters. Sadly, about a year ago, that moment arrived. To preserve the dignity and continuity of the memorial, the Executive Board of the New Hampshire State Firemen’s Association began planning an expansion that ensures room for future generations to remember and honor our heroes.

A Thoughtful Expansion

Early this spring, the Executive Board set the expansion plan into motion, and on Monday, August 25, 2025, the project officially began with the help of O’Keefe’s Landscaping of Merrimack, NH.

The expansion includes:

• A New Memorial Wall — Built into the hill to the right of the eternal flame, this new wall will house four additional granite name tablets. Two of the oldest tablets will be moved here, making room under the bell for two new blank tablets. This ensures space for the many names we must honor in the years ahead.

• Granite End Cap Replacement — All four granite end caps are being replaced, with the six names currently engraved there moved to the new tablets.

• A Dedicated Patio for Cancer Losses — A new paver patio, set apart in a darker red color, has been created specifically to honor members of the NH Fire Service who passed from cancer but whose deaths were not officially designated as line of duty. This special space reflects the Executive Board’s belief that these firefighters deserve recognition for their service and sacrifice.

• Enhanced Lighting — A new LED lighting system has been installed, expanding the ways we can honor the fallen. For example, the memorial will now be illuminated in red as part of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s annual “Light the Night” tribute.

  
  

Progress So Far

As week two of construction comes to a close, the memorial wall and patio area are nearly complete. The hillside behind the memorial has been expanded and leveled and will be hydroseeded following the annual 9/11 Memorial Service. The new LED lighting has been installed in the wall and by the granite sign, with additional lighting to be placed under each flag and surrounding the bell once the granite tablets and end caps arrive.

This expansion is not just a construction project; it is an act of remembrance and reverence. Each detail, from the placement of the granite to the glow of the lights, is designed to preserve the dignity of this sacred place.

How You Can Help

This expansion and restoration project has been years in the making, and it would not be possible without the support of our community. Your contributions make it possible to continue honoring the brave men and women of the NH Fire Service who gave their lives in service.

👉 Please consider making a donation or purchasing a memorial brick in tribute to a loved one, a fallen firefighter, or your department. Every contribution, large or small, helps preserve and enhance this sacred place of remembrance.

🔗 Donate or order a brick here: www.nhsfa.org

The Executive Board of the New Hampshire State Firemen’s Association extends its deepest gratitude for your ongoing support of this multi-year project. Together, we can ensure that the sacrifices of our fallen brothers and sisters are never forgotten, and that their names will stand in honor for generations to come.