Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
Elgin Fire Barn No. 5 Museum officials unveiled designs Saturday for a new memorial plaza and launched an effort to raise the $170,000 needed for the project, a vision that’s coming together after decades of planning.
When former Fire Chief John Henrici started thinking about the memorial, he had a grand vision to construct something similar to Springfield’s firefighter monument that could be a focal point for the annual service and would serve to honor firefighters. There have been various artist renderings and thoughts of what should be placed in the George Van deVoorde Firefighter Memorial Park. The park is located on the museum grounds.
The plans call for expanding an area to include three flag poles, a seating area and a water feature. The names of Elgin and other area firefighters killed in the line of duty would be listed as would firefighters who die each year.
Museum officials hope plans for the plaza will be finalized by October, however construction won’t start until the funding is in place.
The Firefighters’ Memorial Service is filled with traditions including a reading of the Fireman’s Prayer, the last alarm and a benediction. New this year was an honor guard presenting the flag of every department attending including Algonquin, East Dundee, Hampshire, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, and Streamwood.
