Of interest … South Holland firefighters visit retired Chicago firefighter
Excerpts from chicagotribune.com:
Gordon Grand Pre still vividly recalls his first day as a firefighter in Chicago during the 1950s. He arrived at a burning three-story building, where people were leaping from windows to escape the flames. At first, he froze, but another firefighter patted him on the back and said, “Keep moving, they’ll jump on you if you don’t.â€
Now 93, Grand Pre occasionally has trouble remembering things, but that particular memory remains sharp in his mind.
Grand Pre lives at Arden Courts Memory Care Community in South Holland. Though he experiences some memory lapses, he still remembers his early days as a firefighter with crystal clarity.
Recently, he had the chance to relive some of that excitement when the South Holland Fire Department visited him for a special “Hearts Desire†event.
The firefighters from the local department may not have been the same ones he worked with decades ago, but their presence brought back powerful memories of his 35-year career.
His wife still remembers when her husband left for a week-long assignment during the 1968 Chicago riots. She packed a care package with soup, crackers, and candy bars, which he carried in a sack tied to the end of a stick—like a hobo.
When the firefighters arrived and greeted Grand Pre, they took him to the firetruck and gave him a ride around the neighborhood. His family watched, smiling and clapping as he enjoyed the moment.
South Holland Fire Chief Brian Kolosh expressed how happy he was to be invited to make Grand Pre’s day special.
“Once you’re in the fire service, you’re always part of the fire family,†said Kolosh. “Whatever we can do to make this moment meaningful for him, we will.â€
For Grand Pre, it wasn’t just a visit—it was a heartfelt tribute to a life spent serving his community, and a reminder that even after all these years, his legacy continues to inspire.
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