A West Chester Township memorial honoring firefighters was dedicated Monday, Aug. 15, during an afternoon ceremony at fire headquarters.

Alden “AJ” Hanmer erected the memorial outside the entrance of Station 71 at 9119 Cincinnati Dayton Road as part of his Eagle Scout Service Project. He is a member of Boy Scout Troop 974 in West Chester.

“The project was an idea that started because of my dad, Mark Hanmer, a firefighter with West Chester Township,” AJ said. “He told me about a firefighter who died named Robert M. Landenwitsch. The project evolved into a general recognition for all those who serve today in the firefighter community.”

AJ said he hopes the memorial will remind his community that firefighters deserve honor and respect at all times – not just during times of tragedy. He was inspired after seeing the National September 11 Memorial and Museum on a recent trip to New York City.

“This is just incredible to have AJ do this Eagle Scout project for us on behalf of the West Chester Fire Department,” said Fire Chief Rick Prinz.

Chief Prinz thanked AJ for his work while addressing a crowd of approximately 50 people during the 30-minute ceremony. Among those included were current and former members of the West Chester Fire Department; members of Boy Scout Troop 974; Judi Boyko, Township administrator; and representatives from the faith community.

“The memorial is a tremendous gift to our community, but moreover it is a reminder to all of us here at the Fire Department that there are people who have made sacrifices – some more than others – and it’s important to remember those who have sacrificed so much for our community,” Chief Prinz said.

The memorial consists of two hand-built brick planters that form a 90 degree “L” shaped wall, approximately 20-inches tall and 5-feet long on either side, at the foot of the station’s flagpoles. A 41-inch bronze statue depicting a firefighter sits atop the wall’s apex, where an inscribed plaque reads:

In recognition of those who have served, are currently serving and the families who support them. Remembering our past, committed to our future.

AJ estimates the memorial took more than 250 hours to construct, but said that does not include time spent planning. He designed and built the memorial to match the architecture of the fire headquarters building with input and support from Chief Prinz, Ms. Boyko and his fellow Scouts.

“I’m extremely proud of the work that he put in on this project,” said AJ’s father, Mark, who also serves as an assistant scout master for Troop 974. “It was amazing just watching him grow as this project grew.”

AJ lives in West Chester with his father and mother, Brenda. He is a sophomore at Lakota East High School and is currently in the process of completing and submitting his Eagle Scout Rank Application.