Ceremony to honor fallen Palatine volunteer firefighters
The Palatine Fire Department will hold a ceremony at 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, to recognize the service and sacrifice of three Palatine volunteer firefighters who lost their lives 39 years ago in the line of duty.
The event will take place at the Palatine Firefighters Memorial, Brockway and Slade streets.
On Feb. 23, 1973, John Wilson, Richard Freeman and Warren Ahlgrim died fighting a fire at the Ben Franklin store in downtown Palatine. The early morning fire started in the basement of the retail storefront and quickly spread throughout the entire building.
Members of the Palatine Fire Department Honor Guard will present a wreath and perform a brief firefighter bell ceremony.
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