An all-American monument honoring first responders was lit for the first time last week during a dedication ceremony.

The installation, located on the southwest corner of City Hall (near the Griffin Avenue and Porter Street intersection), is comprised of three transparent benches.

They may not attract much attention during the day, but at night, the benches are lit up red, white, and blue to recognize firefighters, EMTs, and police officers for the work they do in the Enumclaw community and beyond.

Enumclaw Fire Chief Randy Fehr and Police Chief Tim Floyd thanked elected officials, city staff, and everyone else who helped put this project together, as well as their responders for all they good they do on the Plateau.

“It means a lot to us,” Fehr said.

“This leaves me a little bit speechless,” Floyd followed. “The relationship that this city has with its first responders… is unlike any other community that I’ve ever seen anywhere.”

“Everyone involved did an incredible job to make this project happen,” said Mayor Jan Molinaro. “Everyone says it takes a village, but I say it takes a force – a force of action from all the folks that made this happen.”

People and companies involved in the project include Ty Elkington of Brama Electric and Shane Pettit of Big Mountain Enterprises, who both donated their time and various materials; Wade Bowen and Adam Kimball of Trinity Remodel and Excavating; Kim Walthers of Walthers Electric; Dave Magstadt of Enumclaw Landscape Maintenance; Nathan Emry of The Lighting Group, who donated the lighting material; and numerous city staff members.

Many city officials, staff, and community members also attended the event, including Penny and Lucy Chevassus, seen here sitting on the blue bench. Photo by Ray Miller-Still