Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
Retired Aurora Fire Department Capt. Art Stieglieter celebrated his 100th birthday this past Sunday with family members and a bunch of other retired firefighters.
“We see Art all the time around the Fire Museum here and he talks to a lot of the younger firefighters about his career and the way they did things in the old days,” said Aurora Fire Chief Gary Krienitz. “He’s always interesting and when we found out they were having a party for Art’s 100th birthday, we decided to bring him some special things.”
“We knew Art no longer had his captain’s badge and we’ve kept records of every paid firefighter and what their numbers were, so we looked it up and found he was number 166,” Krienitz explained. “We thought this would be a great way to honor him for the years he’s served.”
“I didn’t know there would be so many people, and there was standing room only,” Stieglieter said. “I’ve never seen so many people and I’ve not had that much attention before in my life. I got a new badge, and though it’s not the original, I’m glad to get it back.”
Stieglieter joined the department on Oct. 1, 1952. He was promoted to lieutenant on Jan. 1, 1958, and then captain on Nov. 17, 1962. His retirement was on March 1, 1977.
thanks Dan
