Wall of the Fallen Ceremony honors lives lost

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hundreds gathered in Chattanooga to honor those who lost their lives serving in the towing and recovery industry.

The annual Wall of the Fallen ceremony, hosted by the International Towing and Recovery Museum, serves as one of the industry’s most meaningful traditions.

Families from across the country came together to reflect, remember, and share stories about the loved ones they lost while doing the job they loved.

Museum officials thanked the community for attending, calling it the most important ceremony they hold each year.

They expressed how vital it is to remember the men and women who have given everything in service to others and to keep their memories alive through the work the industry continues to do.

Jeffrey Godwin, Vice President of the International Towing Museum, said, “It’s important to remember them, honor them here, help their families through that process, but also, it’s to make the public aware of the plight of the tower on the side of the road.”

At the International Towing and Recovery Museum, the Wall of the Fallen stands as a lasting tribute to the men and women who have died while helping others.

Each plaque tells a story of courage, sacrifice, and a life devoted to service.

Christian Ingram, a family member of the fallen, shared the story of his uncle, Frank Ingram, a respected tow truck operator and business owner from Woodstock, Georgia.

He said, “October 19th, 2023, my uncle, Frank Ingram, tow truck operator, business owner, was on 575 Southbound in Woodstock, Georgia, and he was picking up a dump truck and his 50-ton wrecker and a gentleman in a Ford Transit van veered off of the road and hit him and pinned him in between the van and his wrecker.”

Christian said his family continues to honor Frank’s memory by raising awareness about the dangers tow operators face on the roadside every day.

During the ceremony, new names were added to the memorial, joining hundreds of others already etched in stone.

For many families, this moment brought both heartbreak and pride, as their loved ones’ names became a permanent part of the wall that ensures their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

The Ramnarayan Family, who also lost a loved one in the line of duty, shared the same hope for change.

They said, “My loved one passed away in an accident when he was about to recover a truck and a truck driver crashed into him. We need more laws for Move Over. Give them the space to work. Safety is priority. When we did these videos many years ago, people did not listen.”

Both families expressed that the ceremony not only honors those who have fallen but also shines a light on the urgent need for drivers to slow down and move over when they see flashing lights.

The Wall of the Fallen remains a powerful reminder that behind every tow truck on the side of the road is a person with a family waiting for them to come home.

To learn more about the Wall of the Fallen memorial or how to support the museum’s efforts, click here.