Images: Palatine remembers fallen firefighters
Standing outside in subzero temperatures that kept most suburbanites indoors, Palatine firefighters and community members paid tribute Monday morning to three fallen colleagues on the 42nd anniversary of the day they died battling a massive blaze in the village's downtown. On Feb. 23, 1973, volunteer firefighters John Wilson, Richard Freeman and Warren Ahlgrim lost their lives fighting a fire in a Ben Franklin store.
Palatine firefighter/paramedic Eric Jordan prepares to handoff the wreath at a ceremony Monday held to recognize the service and sacrifice of firefighters who died in the line of duty on this date at the infamous 1973 Ben Franklin store fire in downtown Palatine.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Rose Ahlgrim, the widow of Warren Ahlgrim, attended a ceremony Monday honoring the sacrifice of her husband and two other Palatine volunteer firefighters who died Feb. 23, 1973 battling a blaze in the village's downtown.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Palatine firefighters salute Monday morning during a ceremony recognizing the 42nd anniversary of three volunteer firefighters losing their lives battling a blaze in the village's downtown.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Palatine firefighter/paramedic Dale Stankiewicz prepares to place the wreath at a ceremony Monday recognizing the service and sacrifice of three firefighters who died in the line of duty fighting the 1973 Ben Franklin store fire in downtown Palatine.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Palatine firefighter/paramedic Eric Jordan prepares to handoff a wreath Monday during a ceremony recognizing the 42nd anniversary of three volunteer firefighters losing their lives battling a blaze in the village's downtown.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Lt. Bill Noland chokes back tears as another firefighter prepares to place the wreath at the ceremony Monday honoring the service and sacrifice of three volunteer firefighters who died in the line of duty on this date in 1973. Noland was at the fire at the downtown Ben Franklin store.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Lt. Bill Noland (middle) chokes back tears as another firefighter prepares to place the wreath during a ceremony Monday recognizing the 42nd anniversary of the Ben Franklin store fire that claimed the lives of three volunteer firefighters. Noland was at the fire in 1973.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
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