Des Plaines Fire Department unveils Memorial Walk

Visitors to Des Plaines Fire Station No. 1, 405 S. River Road, can’t help but notice the recent addition of a newly constructed memorial brick walk leading into the facility. Highlighted with names of former firefighters dating back to the 1930s, the walk serves as a lasting reminder of those sworn men and women who have retired from the Des Plaines Fire Department.

The walkway was officially unveiled at the end of September when a cake and coffee reception was held for retirees and their families. The idea to develop a walk celebrating firefighters was initiated by Deputy Fire Chief Ron Eilken after speaking to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) representatives following a major flooding event. As part of the Flood Mitigation Plan, it was suggested that electrical power to Fire Station No. 1 be rerouted above ground. Since this would require destroying the existing sidewalk, Eilken saw it as an ideal time for installing a permanent memorial walkway in its place. Fellow firefighters rallied behind the concept.

Fortunately, fire department secretary Nancy Kelso had maintained a list of fire department retirees with names, ranks and dates of service. The information was provided to “Impressions In Stone,” Vernon Hills, who engraved the bricks. Thanks to the generous support of the Des Plaines Foreign Fire Insurance board, who paid for the engraving, 110 bricks were personalized for retired employees who had served a minimum of 20 years, or those who left due to injury. One large brick commemorates Robert P. Coombs, 33, who died in an accident after rescuing two men from a sewer while on-duty in 1962. Another larger brick displays the Fire Department logo.

Lurvey’s donated the actual bricks and 3-D Brick provided the installation labor. According to Eilken, approximately $2,500 was donated to the project in materials and labor. Work on the sidewalk area initially began in August, 2011.

Eilken, whose historical perspective of the Des Plaines Fire Department has expanded since taking on the project, speaks spontaneously about the personalities behind the names on the bricks. The earliest firefighter commemorated is Captain Ben Stangor. The oldest, who recently passed away at the age of 99, is Lieutenant Don Hintz, who served the Des Plaines Fire Department from 1946 to1968.

The pizza, cake and coffee reception, compliments of the Des Plaines Firefighters Association, was held Sept. 29, to officially unveil the walkway at Station No. 1. Fire Chief Alan Wax had announced the walk unveiling at a retiree breakfast, and email invitations were used to help spread the word about the event. Former Des Plaines Fire Chiefs Tom Farinella, John Heavey, and Randy Jaeger, along with Mayor Martin J. Moylan and Wax, were among the 50 retirees, co-workers, family-members and friends who attended the event. At one point, the firefighters gathered around the sign outside the station for a group photograph.

Chief Wax observed, “It was heartwarming to see the retirees view the walkway for the first time. They were deeply touched, and the stories from years past started flowing immediately. A special thanks to Deputy Chief Eilken for the idea and for making the project successful, and to the individuals and organizations that provided the generous donations. The reception was a terrific event that brought together the past with the present.”

It was obvious at the reception that the retirees were thankful for the efforts. Longtime retired Captain and Des Plaines resident Charlie (“Pro”) Provenzano, retired Firefighter Rick Ornberg who came from Oconomowoc, Wis., with his wife Patricia, and retired Firefighter/Inspector Norb Grochocinski, who started the local electrical contracting business Norb and Sons, accompanied by wife Carol, were just a few that attested to event’s popularity and gladly posed for a photograph or two with co-workers. The walkway allows for the addition of several more bricks. Eilken estimates that there is enough space to accommodate the next 10 years.

“We hope all the retired firefighters and their families will come to Station No. 1 to see the walkway. The Des Plaines Fire Department is like one big family. We serve together, risk our lives together, and live together. We wanted the walkway at Station No. 1 to be a place where firefighters and their families could go that truly memorialized the service these fine men and women contributed to the community,” Eilken said.

Visit the city’s website at www.desplaines.org/firedeptwalkway for more photos.

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