Despite stormy weather, Iowans come out to honor fallen firemen

As rain poured down and thunder boomed across  stormy skies,  friends and families of fallen firemen placed colorful wreaths across the Iowa Firefighters Memorial Wall Sunday morning.

The group gathered to commemorate the memory of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice - their lives.

Despite the uncooperative weather, onlookers from across the state payed their respects at the sixteenth annual Iowa Firefighters memorial service.

Iowa Fire Marshal, Ray Reynolds,  said the wall honors firefighters who died in the line of duty as well as those who served 10 years or longer and were an active member of a fire department when they died.

“When you see the names on the wall, ” Reynolds said. “There is usually a story behind it.”

Sunday's memorial service was shortened do to the storms, but even with the heavy rain the memorial service made a special effort to honor the life of  Steven S. Crannel, 47, a firefighter who passed away from a line of duty related death.

Crannell served on the Gunthrie Center Fire Department for more than 20 years and held the office of  Secretary-Treasure. He suffered from a cardiac complication after service training, and died on April 22.

During the ceremony, Crannell's  wife and two children were presented  an honorary flag flown from  the Iowa  state capitol after his unexpected, April death.

To date, 2,024 names line the Iowa Firefighters Memorial wall. Of those individuals, 138  died during  line of duty.

Joan Reuman, wife of Mike Reuman who serves as the chairman  for the Iowa Firefighters Memorial, said three of the names currently on the wall received “dear friend” standing.

Reuman said individuals identified on the wall as dear friends are those who served numerous years with the Iowa fire service to  educate and protect Iowa firefighters and citizens.

“Dear friends are those who helped immensely over the years,” she said.

In 2004, Wilbur R. Johnson of the Iowa Fire Marshal's office received dear friend distinction.  Johnson served as the state of Iowa's fire marshal for 25 years. and retired as The United State's most senior fire marshal. Today  Johnson still holds the  record as the longest serving  state fire marshal.

The Iowa Firefighter memorial was dedicated in April of 1994 and  16 memorial services have been held on its grounds. The Iowa Firemen's Association selected the Coralville site in 1992 and host the event annually since its ground breaking.

Jack Runge,  Vice President of the Iowa Firemen's Association said this is the first year a memorial service was rained out.