09/11/2026
Today on the 25th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11,
I am pleased to announce plans to construct a Public Safety Memorial on Main Street in Chatham.
This memorial will will be dedicated in the memory of two men who died serving the citizens of Pittsylvania County and to honor the service of all who have served or who are currently serving in the service of fire, rescue or telecommunications.
The design is that of a pentagon to reflect the strength, courage and commitment of those who serve us. The length of the inner perimeter is 9 feet 11 inches. The center piece will be a black granite base with three metal flames located on top reaching a height of 9 feet 11 inches.
On the base will be the names of Gerald Bostic of the Danville Life Saving Crew who was killed in a traffic crash in 1967 while enroute to Tunstall High School.
The second name will be Sam Bradner of Tunstall Fire & Rescue who was killed in 1997 in a fire truck crash while responding to a structure fire.
The foundation will consist of individual pavers with the names of individuals who have ever served Pittsylvania County in fire, rescue or telecommunications. The individual pavers can be purchased for $150.00 per paver.
There will be two granite walls to the left and right. One will be engraved with Pittsylvania County Public Safety Memorial with the logos of the Maltese Cross, the Star of Life and a Telecommunications Headset located under the name.
The second wall to the right will list every department that is serving or has ever served our county. The memorial will have a set of flags as shown and the memorial will be accented at night by lights.
This project is designed to be a permanent reminder of those who we’ve lost while honoring the endless service and sacrifice of our volunteers and Public Safety staff.
The estimated cost of this memorial is $250,000.00 and will be paid for by donations, grants and the sale of the individual pavers.
All funding will go through Dan Hayes of the Community Foundation. In closing, I am very grateful for the Public Safety Memorial Committee for their willingness to serve. To make this dream become a reality I ask that you help support it by donating, purchasing pavers and promoting the memorial process.
Please call me at 434-685-5555 if you’d like to help or to make a donation, thank you.
