Bartlett comes together to honor trustee, remember 9/11

Faithful. Integrity. A voice of reason.

Those were words presenters used Saturday to describe John Whitmer and his 46 years of service to the Bartlett Fire Protection District.

Humbled. Overwhelmed. Honored.

Those are the words Whitmer used to describe his reaction to the outpouring of support during a ceremony held in his honor at Bartlett Fire Protection District Station One.

"You have certainly booked an impressive resume," said Jim McCarthy, president of the fire protection district board. "To say you have worked for the betterment of this district is an understatement."

Whitmer joined the department in June 1959 as a paid-on-call firefighter. Also a mail carrier in the community, he served as a firefighter until June 1965. In July 1974, he became deputy chief, a rank he held until November 1994 when he was appointed to the district's fire commission. When the board morphed into elected seats, he was voted onto the board and has served as a trustee for the past 18 years before recently stepping down.

"Trustee Whitmer's service to the Bartlett community is truly irreplaceable," said Fire Chief Mike Falese. "He has witnessed and been a part of the development of the fire district for all or part of seven decades. John's loyalty, passion and dedication are as strong today as they were in 1959."

Whitmer thanked the crowd of family, retired and active firefighters and friends.

"This is like a big reunion. I see all of those who I have served with," Whitmer said. "I am humbled my this."

Saturday's gathering also included the formal dedication of the 9/11 New York City steel display. The Bartlett Fire District is one of 35 departments in Illinois that obtained a physical remembrance of devastation and the heroic acts after the 2001 terrorist attacks. The hunk of steel recovered from the World Trade Center is on display in the lobby at Station One, 234 N. Oak St.

"It will serve as a reminder of the sacrifice people made ... the brothers and sisters we lost," Falese said. He added that he hopes it brings residents a "sense of peace" and reminds them of "the freedoms we enjoy."