The winning design for a new Canadian Firefighters Memorial to be completed at LeBreton Flats by September 2012 “captures the sacrifices made by fire services in a uniquely Canadian setting,” said the president of the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

“The names of over 1,000 firefighters on the memorial wall appear to float in the clouds across a map of Canada near the province where they were killed,” said Robert Kirkpatrick at the design’s unveiling Thursday.

“A statue of one of those from the wall directs visitors to read the names of the fallen. It will be an inspiring and beautiful place … where our annual ceremony will be held and where the families of the fallen can visit year-round.”

“I wanted the monument to convey deep emotion and simple dignity,” said artist Douglas Coupland. “I want people to eat their lunch there, read, play with their kids – and each time they do so, a small part of themselves will reflect on firefighters and what they do every day.”