Palatine Fire Chief Scott Andersen talks about the ultimate sacrifice given by three fallen volunteer firefighters, John Wilson, Richard Freeman and Warren Ahlgrim, who perished during a fire rescue on Feb. 23, 1973. Roughly 200 people, including firefighters from several suburban departments, attended a ceremony Saturday at the Firefighters Memorial in downtown Palatine to honor their memory and commemorate the 40th anniversary of their deaths.

MADHU KRISHNAMURTHY | Staff Photographer

Palatine Fire Chief Scott Andersen talks about the ultimate sacrifice given by three fallen volunteer firefighters, John Wilson, Richard Freeman and Warren Ahlgrim, who perished during a fire rescue on Feb. 23, 1973. Roughly 200 people, including firefighters from several suburban departments, attended a ceremony Saturday at the Firefighters Memorial in downtown Palatine to honor their memory and commemorate the 40th anniversary of their deaths.

MADHU KRISHNAMURTHY | Staff Photographer

Retired firefighter Mark Hallett, right, salutes the flag carried by the Palatine Fire Department Honor Guard Saturday during a ceremony honoring the sacrifice made by three volunteer firefighters, John Wilson, Richard Freeman and Warren Ahlgrim, who perished during a fire rescue on Feb. 23, 1973.

MADHU KRISHNAMURTHY | Staff Photographer

Palatine firefighter Dale Stankiewicz carries a wreath to place on the memorial for three fallen volunteer firefighters, John Wilson, Richard Freeman and Warren Ahlgrim, who perished during a fire rescue on Feb. 23, 1973. Roughly 200 people, including firefighters from several area departments, attended a ceremony Saturday at the Firefighters Memorial in downtown Palatine to honor their memory and commemorate the 40th anniversary of their deaths.

MADHU KRISHNAMURTHY | Staff Photographer

A wreath was placed Saturday on the memorial for three fallen volunteer Palatine firefighters, John Wilson, Richard Freeman and Warren Ahlgrim, who perished during a fire rescue on Feb. 23, 1973. Roughly 200 people, including firefighters from area departments, attended a ceremony honoring their memory and commemorating the 40th anniversary of their deaths at the Palatine Firefighters Memorial.

MADHU KRISHNAMURTHY | Staff Photographer

A bagpiper plays after the placing of a wreath on the memorial for three fallen volunteer Palatine firefighters, John Wilson, Richard Freeman and Warren Ahlgrim, who perished during a fire rescue on Feb. 23, 1973. Roughly 200 people, including firefighters from several area departments, attended a ceremony Saturday at the Firefighters Memorial in downtown Palatine to honor their memory and commemorate the 40th anniversary of their deaths.

MADHU KRISHNAMURTHY | Staff Photographer

Retired firefighter Mark Hallett talks about the traditions observed to mark the death of a firefighter, such as the Honor Guard presentation, the playing of bagpipes, and the sounding of a bell three times. A wreath was placed Saturday on the memorial for three fallen volunteer Palatine firefighters, John Wilson, Richard Freeman and Warren Ahlgrim, who perished during a fire rescue on Feb. 23, 1973.

MADHU KRISHNAMURTHY | Staff Photographer

Retired firefighter Mark Hallett sounds the bell three times for each of the fallen volunteer Palatine firefighters, John Wilson, Richard Freeman and Warren Ahlgrim, who perished during a fire rescue on Feb. 23, 1973.

MADHU KRISHNAMURTHY | Staff Photographer

The Palatine Fire Department Honor Guard procession honored the memory of three fallen volunteer firefighters Saturday who were killed in a fire on this date 40 years ago. Roughly 200 people, including firefighters from area departments, attended the ceremony at the Firefighters Memorial at the corner of North Brockway and West Slade streets in downtown Palatine.

MADHU KRISHNAMURTHY | Staff Photographer

This Pierceton Snorkel unit was used during the Feb. 23, 1973, fire in which three volunteer Palatine firefighters, John Wilson, Richard Freeman and Warren Ahlgrim, perished. The snorkel was the department's big ladder truck.

MADHU KRISHNAMURTHY | Staff Photographer