"The Crossing"

"The Crossing". by Stephen R. Geddes and Robert L. Moore, Westerville Fire Fighters' Memorial Inc.. , On February 5, 1998, the Westerville Fire Division experienced the loss of 29 year old career firefighter David Theisen, who was killed in his hometown of Crooksville, Ohio while fighting a house fire during volunteer duty. Theisen was beloved by many, having also served with Worthington, Plain Township and Madison Township Fire Departments. Led by founder, Thomas C. Ullom, a Westerville Firefighter/Medic, a committee of citizens and city officials decided that a firefighters' memorial in tribute to Theisen would provide firefighters, as well as the public, with an inspirational and healing setting in which to celebrate achievements and contemplate losses experienced by this dedicated group., Furthermore, such a memorial would honor all the courageous men and women who serve, or have served, their communities., This non-profit organization, Westerville Fire Fighters' Memorial, Inc. (WFFM) was formed, and worked to create a firefighters' memorial in Westerville. Through the generous donations of many, this memorial was,

Built to honor the past, present and future firefighters and is dedicated to those who have made the "ultimate sacrifice."

, After September 11, 2001, Ullom worked to obtain a piece of steel from the World Trade Center. In 2009, after 7 years of determination, a piece of steel known as C-40 was obtained from the New York/New Jersey Port Authority from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), where it had been kept as part of the federal investigation into the collapse of the towers., We will never forget.