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Firefighter Memorial
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1969 - 1st Fire Service Recognition Day, ceremony at Fire Memorial, 200 block N. McLean.
May 1969 - Memorial service for Firefighter's appreciation day. McLean Blvd., just north of Douglas Street.
Fire Recognition Day - Men at "Parade Rest".
Honoring their fallen brothers.
Chiefs Davis, Carney, and Sedbrook.
May 1969 - Memorial service for Firefighter's appreciation day.
May 1969 - Memorial service for Firefighter's appreciation day.
May 1969 - Fire Recognition Day - "At Attention".
1969 - Wreath at Fire memorial.
Memorial program with formation of firefighters.
| Milton A. Zelinkoff was a long-time Wichita businessman, whose office was just around the corner from old No. 1 fire station. Over the years, he and Chief McGaughey had become good friends and often met for morning coffee at the Wichita Cafe at the corner of Third and Main Streets. After the tragedy of the Yingling fire, Mr. Zelinkoff felt that something should be done to commemorate the untimely death of his friend and fellow firefighters. Through his efforts, a fund-raising campaign was started for a fitting memorial to be built at the new No. 1 station. He sketched a rough design for the memorial and gave it to a Wichita commercial artist, Otis Hadley, who transformed it into a final drawing.
Milton Zelinkoff appeared before the City Commission with the design, advocated the placement of the memorial at the new station, and asked that the station be named Thomas A. McGaughey Station No. 1. The commission accepted the motion, and the firefighters memorial, which lists the names of all firefighters who died in the line of duty, was built.
Milton A. Zelinkoff should be long remembered for his friendship to all Wichita firefighters. His dedication to the community has been proven many times over, and he didn't forget a friend.
In behalf of the City of Wichita, the wives and children of Wichita Fire Chief Tom McGaughey, Chief Fire Inspector Merle O. Wells, Firefighters Jimmie Lee Austin and Dale J. Mishler, I wish to thank you for your generous contribution to the erection of the "Living Memorial" dedicated to these brave and devoted men.
The monument will be installed on the grounds of the proposed "Thomas McGaughey Fire Station Number One", which will be built in the new Wichita City Administration Center.
I trust, that you will be present when this new station and memorial is dedicated.
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