Firefighter Remembered

By Amanda Dickman in News on Mar 29, 2007 8:20PM

Last Friday, Chicago firefighter William Grant was killed when Truck No. 51, en route to a reported fire, was struck by a school bus.

Yesterday, close to 1000 mourners gathered to pay tribute to Grant at his viewing, funeral and burial. In the wake of all of the negative cop coverage as of late, it was refreshing to read about a dedicated, good man who was loyal to both his family at home as well as his family within the Chicago Fire Department. It's just too bad that we're hearing these praises after his death.

Grant joined the department in 1986, following in the footsteps of his father, John Grant, a 20-year veteran. His brother, Kevin, joined a short while later.

If the reports of Grant's good nature and valor aren't enough to get through to your frozen heart, the description of the day's procession, including a team of drummers and bagpipers, just might, "his casket, draped in a City of Chicago flag, was loaded onto the back of a gleaming red firetruck. A second truck ahead, topped with mounds of fresh flowers, had Grant's firefighting coat and helmet draped across its front."

Firemen from all over the midwest and members of his southside neighborhood (who didn't even know Grant personally) were also on hand to pay their respects.

The Tribune also mentioned a class of Kindergartners from Kellogg Elementary School, across from the church where the funeral was held, who gathered outside during the procession waving little American flags. Really? With the tugging of the heartstrings? There's only so much we can take and that's dangerously toe-ing the line.

We know we don't usually get all sappy on your ass, but some things must respectfully forgo that sarcastic, biting zing that Chicagoist knows and loves.

Image via T Fish.