Excerpts from abc7chicago.com:
Chicago firefighters were killed in a massive fire on Milwaukee Avenue in February 1985, and on Sunday, their community gave back, remembering their sacrifice.
Captain Daniel Nockels and Firefighters Michael Forchione and Michael Talley were honored with a renovated mural at a park at Diversey, Kimball, and Milwaukee avenues, just down the street from where the deadly fire broke out.
“Thirty-eight years, five months, eight days. For those of us who survived the tragedy of that frigid cold night, the space of time is hard to comprehend,” said Firefighter Paul Nockels, the son of Daniel Nockels. “I miss my father every day.”
The original mural was painted in the mid-1980s and retouched in the early 2000s. South Shore artist Damon Lamar Reed was commissioned for the new version.
Michael Forchione went to work on his 29th birthday and never returned home. His children, just babies when their father died, joined their mother, Cynthia Forchione, at the podium on Sunday as she thanked her husband’s fellow firefighters and the community for their unwavering support.
“May all who enjoy this park, please never forget those that have gave that ultimate sacrifice and gone ahead of us,” said Truck 58 Lieutenant James Hampe with Firefighters Local 2.
