Palatine firefighters memorial ceremony Tuesday

The Palatine Fire Department will host a brief ceremony Tuesday morning to recognize the service and sacrifice of three volunteer firefighters who died in the line of duty on this day in 1973.

John Wilson, Richard Freeman and Warren Ahlgrim lost their lives fighting a fire in the Ben Franklin store in downtown Palatine.

Due to Phase 4 restrictions of the Restore Illinois plan, only those directly involved in the ceremony will be present. Members of the public who wish to attend are asked to strictly adhere to social distancing guidelines.

The ceremony will be held at the Palatine Firefighters Memorial at the corner of North Brockway and West Slade streets.

The fire department's honor guard will step off from Station 85 at 39 E. Colfax at about 8:45 a.m. and march to the Firefighters Memorial. The ceremony will begin at about 9 a.m. and will include a wreath presentation and ringing of the ceremonial fire bell.

A video of the event will be available on the village's Facebook page, website at palatine.il.us and public access Channel 6 through February and March.