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The bell sounded 12 times Sunday afternoon — three times each for the four East Peoria firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty.
East Peoria Central Fire Station fell silent as Assistant Chief Marvin J. Stein, Firefighter George Cornwell Sr., Captain Armando Ballerini and Firefighter William A. Folmar were remembered during the 24th annual firefighter memorial service.
“It was the bell that signaled the beginning of the day’s shift … It was the bell that signaled the end of the day. And it was the bell that signaled the passing of a firefighter,” said Fire Lt. Garry Grugan.
Taps was played, firefighters saluted the memorial wreath, and words were spoken about the lives of the fallen firefighters.
Thirty years have passed since the department lost a firefighter — the most recent being in 1980 when Firefighter William Folmar was struck by a vehicle while responding to an accident on Murray Baker Bridge.
“We don’t have a more important tradition than the one that brings us here today,” retired Chief Roger Aylward said. “It’s a great tradition we have here in East Peoria.”
Along with honoring the fallen, Fire Chief William Darin announced the fire department’s Employee of the Year. Described as a hard worker both on and off duty, a diligent worker for vehicle maintenance and a good mentor to the younger personnel, Firefighter-Paramedic Greg Underhill received the honor presented since 1999. Underhill has worked at the department since July 19, 1995.
“He’s a great asset to the East Peoria Fire Department,” said Darin.
Underhill said he was “surprised and humbled” to receive the honor.
“It’s the best job in the world,” he said. “It’s a job you love coming in and doing.”
Underhill said his duties include supervising the maintenance and repairs on the department’s vehicles, a job that requires him to make many calls from home.
“I’ve always been into machinery,” he said. “So, it’s not a burden. There are so many people here who do so many meaningful things for the department. Just about everyone here does something extra. I guess I’m just lucky.”
Firefighter Phil Brown, the newest addition to the department, further explained Underhill’s role as a mentor.
“He’s a great guy,” Brown said. “He showed me the ropes when I first got on. He’s a great guy to go to.”
His wife of 25 years, Penny Underhill, whose father was fire chief in the early 1990s, was there to show her support.
“I was really proud of him when he decided he wanted to become a firefighter,” she said. “He’s so modest, but he really deserves this.”
“Not to mention he needs to be the husband of the year, too,” she added.
The bell sounded 12 times Sunday afternoon — three times each for the four East Peoria firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty.
East Peoria Central Fire Station fell silent as Assistant Chief Marvin J. Stein, Firefighter George Cornwell Sr., Captain Armando Ballerini and Firefighter William A. Folmar were remembered during the 24th annual firefighter memorial service.
“It was the bell that signaled the beginning of the day’s shift … It was the bell that signaled the end of the day. And it was the bell that signaled the passing of a firefighter,” said Fire Lt. Garry Grugan.
Taps was played, firefighters saluted the memorial wreath, and words were spoken about the lives of the fallen firefighters.
Thirty years have passed since the department lost a firefighter — the most recent being in 1980 when Firefighter William Folmar was struck by a vehicle while responding to an accident on Murray Baker Bridge.
“We don’t have a more important tradition than the one that brings us here today,” retired Chief Roger Aylward said. “It’s a great tradition we have here in East Peoria.”
Along with honoring the fallen, Fire Chief William Darin announced the fire department’s Employee of the Year. Described as a hard worker both on and off duty, a diligent worker for vehicle maintenance and a good mentor to the younger personnel, Firefighter-Paramedic Greg Underhill received the honor presented since 1999. Underhill has worked at the department since July 19, 1995.
“He’s a great asset to the East Peoria Fire Department,” said Darin.
Underhill said he was “surprised and humbled” to receive the honor.
“It’s the best job in the world,” he said. “It’s a job you love coming in and doing.”
Underhill said his duties include supervising the maintenance and repairs on the department’s vehicles, a job that requires him to make many calls from home.
“I’ve always been into machinery,” he said. “So, it’s not a burden. There are so many people here who do so many meaningful things for the department. Just about everyone here does something extra. I guess I’m just lucky.”
Firefighter Phil Brown, the newest addition to the department, further explained Underhill’s role as a mentor.
“He’s a great guy,” Brown said. “He showed me the ropes when I first got on. He’s a great guy to go to.”
His wife of 25 years, Penny Underhill, whose father was fire chief in the early 1990s, was there to show her support.
“I was really proud of him when he decided he wanted to become a firefighter,” she said. “He’s so modest, but he really deserves this.”
“Not to mention he needs to be the husband of the year, too,” she added.
