SPRINGHILL: Ten years ago the late-Terry Porter, then-fire chief of Springhill, had a dream to build a monument the greeted people to the Springhill Fire Department, remembering and honouring those who volunteer their time and put their lives in danger combating fires.
It was a great idea, everyone agreed, but there were more pressing issues: the department needed a new truck. So, the motion was struck down and every year Porter would renew the dream only to have it put by the wayside for more pressing needs of the department.
Retired from his position as head of Springhill's Public Works and having past on his fire chief's hat to Fred Arsenault, Porter sadly passed away last year after a lengthy illness. But before he did the volunteer firefighters of the Springhill department promised the monument was-a-go.
"We did show him pictures and Terry knew it was ordered before he passed away," Fire chief Fred Arsenault said last week.
In front of the Springhill Fire Department visitors and volunteers to the department are greeted by a large stone monument with the department's crest above and the fire fighter's prayer beneath. It's a tribute to every volunteer and inspired by their former fire chief.
"I'm glad to see it finished," Terry's son Ronnie said. "I'm really glad to see how much respect they had for him."
Beneath the monument is a simple inscription stating the monument was inspired by Terry Porter. His wife, Patti, passed away recently and Arsenault openly lamented she never had a chance to see her husband's dream installed at the department.
Funds for the monument were collected separately from the department's operating budget and many gifts were presented in Terry's memory to make the monument a reality.
True inspiration
True inspiration
- Published on August 20, 2008
- Published on March 8, 2010
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Staff ~ The Record
Firefighters memorial a testament to former fire chief Terry Porter
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- Carol
- - March 9, 2010 at 09:26:07
Thank you to everyone who helped make this memorial possible. This was a dream my brother had and I am thrilled to see it realized!!
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- ann
- - March 9, 2010 at 09:26:07
I'm glad to see the monument in place.I know Terry would be pleased.
I't also nice to see my son and grandson in the picture just wish my other grandson Bryce could have been there he thought the world of his grandfather Porter.
Rest in Peace Terry -
- Kimberley
- - March 9, 2010 at 09:26:05
It is a wonderful legacy in memory of a wonderful man. Its great to see the project finally finished, especially in Terry's memory. He was devoted to the department.
It's also great to see that his family was involved in the unvailing. It will be a wonderful memory for my son, Mason, who was able to be there to remember his grandfather. -
- Tammy
- - March 9, 2010 at 09:26:02
Vert nice tribute to my father. He was a well loved and and he is missed everyday by the people who both loved and knew him. A special Thank you to all person's responsible for the monument I know it would have made my father proud. I look forward to visiting the monument soon.
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- ron
- - March 9, 2010 at 09:26:02
very nice picture and bryce would of been there but he was away at cadet camp making everybody proud. That was a very nice and respectful thing that the fire dept did and the community it did not have to be done
