Just three names grace the new Firefighters Memorial on the lawn of the Limestone County Courthouse, but their comrades hope no more names are added.

The memorial, which was recently set in place on the northwest corner of the courthouse lawn, is a project of the Limestone County Honor Color Guard, established Feb. 13, 2005.

Charles “Chuck” Snider, president of the Owens Volunteer Fire Department and a Limestone County correctional guard, is one of the original seven members of the color guard. He said the organization has grown to 15 members from Owens, Pleasant Grove, Clements and Elkmont volunteer fire departments.

“It is our privilege to honor our fallen comrades with a full firefighters’ funeral, which consists of an honor guard for the viewing and the funeral, ringing the bell and presentation of the flag,” said Snider.

Snider said that the color guard wanted a local memorial because many firefighters and their families cannot visit the state memorial at the Alabama Fire College in Tuscaloosa, which was approved by a joint resolution of the Legislature in 2003, or the National Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland, which was approved by Congress in 1990.

“It had long been my dream to erect a memorial here on our courthouse square,” said Snider. “With the help of County Commission Chairman David Seibert, I was able to obtain a spot for the memorial.”

The gleaming black memorial bears the names of J.B. Rose of the Clements Volunteer Fire Department, who died while fighting a grass fire in 1989; Ricky Moore of Oak Grove-Thach, who was killed on the way to a fire when the fire truck overturned in a curve on Alabama 251, and Clinton Romine of Goodsprings, who was killed when a tree fell on him while he was helping clean up storm debris in 2004.

“We had many fundraisers, such as carwashes and a concert,” said Snider. “Thanks to Sheriff Mike Blakely, our largest fundraiser is manning the concession stand at the Sheriff’s Arena during sporting events.”

Snider said it took several attempts before he was satisfied with the memorial design and material.

“Fellow firefighter, Leon Dean’s knowledge of a monument company brought the price down to a manageable sum,” said Snider. “Sen. Tom Butler (D-Madison) answered my call for help with funding the monument. But even after that, we were still short on funds, so we contacted Athens Fire Chief Danny Southard, who agreed to help with funding the memorial.”

The local memorial, like the national memorial, is also graced by the Maltese Cross.

Throughout the centuries, the Maltese Cross has been adopted as a symbol by groups who provide aid in times of distress.

“In addition to the memorial, we’re also able to establish an account to finance the cost of engraving of any future names,” said Snider.

The color guard will dedicate the memorial Nov. 29 at 11 a.m.