A high school student in Green, Ohio, has established a permanent outdoor tribute to emergency responders on the grounds of his local parish ahead of the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Caleb Brooks, a 15-year-old sophomore at Green High School, spearheaded the construction of a religious shrine dedicated to St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters, on the property of Queen of Heaven Catholic Church located at 1800 Steese Road.
The commemorative structure serves as Brooks' Eagle Scout service project. After pitching the concept to the parish leadership and receiving enthusiastic approval, the teenager spent 12 hours assembling the monument. The newly installed installation brings the total number of outdoor shrines spread across the church’s 18.5-acre property to 15, offering parish members and visitors a dedicated place for reflection and prayer.
The shrine’s unveiling aligns with the parish’s scheduled Patriot Day prayer service on Sept. 11, running from 4:30 to 5 p.m. During the ceremony, the church's senior pastor, the Rev. David Durkee, will formally bless the monument before congregation members and community visitors gathered to honor the memory of fallen emergency personnel.
The dedication coincides with the 25th anniversary of the coordinated 2001 terrorist attacks, during which hijacked commercial aircraft struck the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The tragedy claimed 2,977 lives, including a catastrophic loss of 441 first responders. Among those public servants were 343 New York City firefighters, 37 Port Authority police officers, and 23 New York City police officers.
Although born long after the events of that day, Brooks felt a strong calling to recognize the ongoing sacrifices made by emergency crews. Inspired by a deep-seated desire to enter the fire service himself, the high school sophomore designed the project to ensure the dedication and valor of past and present first responders remain remembered by younger generations.
The shrine specifically venerates St. Florian of Lorch, a historical figure born in 250 A.D. in modern-day Austria. During his lifetime, Florian served as a commander in the Roman Army, where he was tasked with assembling and instructing a specialized contingent of soldiers responsible for combating fires.
His historical legacy is deeply intertwined with religious conviction under the rule of Roman Emperor Diocletian. When ordered to persecute Christians, burn their houses of worship, and participate in Roman pagan sacrifices, Florian openly defied the imperial decrees and professed his own Christian faith. Following severe beatings, Roman authorities initially sentenced him to be burned at the stake in 304 A.D. but ultimately executed him by drowning in the Enns River with a millstone fastened around his neck.
Following his death, fellow Christians recovered Florian’s body and interred his remains at an Augustinian monastery near Lorch. His relics were later relocated to the site of the St. Florian Monastery, which remains standing today. Beyond representing firefighters, St. Florian is recognized within Catholic tradition as the patron saint of chimney sweeps, soap makers, barrel makers, brewers, Poland, and the Austrian city of Linz. His feast day is observed annually on May 4, aligning with International Firefighters Day.
For the Brooks family, the dedication carries profound personal meaning. Caleb’s father, Eric Brooks, currently serves as an 18-year veteran firefighter with the Stow Fire Department. On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, the elder Brooks was a chemical engineering student at the University of Akron, preparing to begin his second day of a cooperative education assignment at the Goodyear Polymer Center when the news broadcasts of the attacks unfolded.
That historical moment reinforced Eric Brooks' lifelong aspiration to pursue firefighting over engineering. Raised by a grandfather who worked as a chemical engineer, he recognized that his true passion lay in public service rather than corporate industry. Leveraging personal connections with Stow’s former fire chief, he secured a position with the department, committing his entire career to serving that single community.
Following his father’s example of community service, Caleb Brooks has built an extensive record within the Boy Scouts of America. He has completed 31 merit badges and attained four distinct Catholic scouting religious recognitions, including the Alteri Dei, Pope Pius XII, and Parvuli Dei awards. He also earned the prestigious Pillars of Faith honor, an achievement attained by only 2% of Catholic scouts nationwide, as he works toward securing his full Eagle Scout rank before the close of the year.
The project also holds special significance for parish leadership. Rev. Durkee, who attained the rank of Eagle Scout in his youth, established Scout Troop 332 at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in 2002. Over the subsequent decades, the troop has successfully mentored and produced 60 Eagle Scouts, with Durkee viewing the scouting program as an effective ministry and educational tool for the parish.
Parish leaders expressed deep appreciation for the addition of the St. Florian monument to the church grounds, emphasizing the close relationship between the congregation and local public safety agencies. With the Green Fire Department situated just one minute away from the parish campus, the shrine serves as an enduring local landmark honoring the emergency crews who risk their lives daily.
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