Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Clumns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Toggle search form
  • Police Blotter
    Orland Park Police Department Investigating Fatal Hit-and-Run accident
  • Taste of Orland Park 2025
    Taste of Orland Park Returns to Village Center with Food, Fun and Festivities Events
  • Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge
    Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt breaking news
  • Chicago Wovles play the Rockford Ice Hogs, Feb. 23, 2025
    Chicago Wolves hockey unveil 2025-26 Season schedule Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN Blogger
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Threatening FEMA Employees and Law Enforcement Officers Crime
  • SeatGeek Stadium
    Chivas de Guadalajara and Club Leon to meet in Chicago Bridgeview
  • OFPD Trustee DJ Jeffers, COmmissioner Mohammed Jaber, Events and Safety Coordinator Betsy Dine and McDonalds Manager Doug Kwiatkowski join about 100 kids who participated at the Frozen with a Firefighter event Wednesday, July 9, 2025
    Frozen with an Orland Firefighter at McDonald’s Events
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Chicago dad’s court victory brought kidnapped daughter home Dads' Rights
  • Congresswoman Robin Kelly official photo
    Leading members of State’s Gun Violence Prevention Community endorse Robin Kelly for U.S. Senate elections
  • IAM Union Logo
    IAM Union Members at Arrow Gear Ratify Strong Contract After 9 Weeks on Strike Business
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Seven Individuals Charged in Drug and Firearm Investigation Centered on South Side of Chicago Chicago
  • Donna Miller
    Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller Launches Congressional Campaign Chicago
  • Mohammed Jaber
    Mohammed Jaber takes Oath of Office for Orland Fire Commission Fire
  • The Orland Fire District responded at 6:51 pm to reports of  smoke coming out of the eves of a four unit townhome in the 10500 block of Illinois Court in the Eagle Ridge subdivision on Saturday August 10th, 2024. 
    Orland Fire District reports several 4th of July fires but no injuries accident
Lyons Fire Department 125th Anniversary Firefighter Memorial Dedication. Our Fire Department works around the clock to ensure the safety of our community and we are grateful for their service. A special thank you to Fire Chief Gordon Nord Jr., Mayor Christopher Getty, and Village Manager Thomas Sheahan for their hard work in making this ceremony memorable.

Village of Lyons dedicates new Firefighter memorial

Posted on December 1, 2021December 1, 2021 By Steve Metsch No Comments on Village of Lyons dedicates new Firefighter memorial
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Village of Lyons dedicates new Firefighter memorial

New memorial pays tribute to Lyons’ firefighters 

By Steve Metsch

The more than 500 men and women – many of them volunteers – who have worked for the Lyons Fire Department over the past 125 years will not be forgotten, officials of the Village of Lyons said Nov. 28, 2021.

A red-brick memorial topped with a firefighter’s helmet and sitting outside the fire station, 4043 Joliet Ave., was dedicated on Nov. 28. About 200 attended.

Behind the memorial stands a new 35-foot flagpole topped with a 6-by-10-foot American flag.

“It’s fantastic. A great day. A great day for Lyons,” Fire Chief Gordon Nord, Jr., said.

Mayor Christopher Getty said the memorial pays tribute “to all those past and present who helped create and shape the great organization of the Lyons Fire Department into what it is today.”

Lyons Fire Department 125th Anniversary Firefighter Memorial Dedication. Our Fire Department works around the clock to ensure the safety of our community and we are grateful for their service. A special thank you to Fire Chief Gordon Nord Jr., Mayor Christopher Getty, and Village Manager Thomas Sheahan for their hard work in making this ceremony memorable.
Lyons Fire Department 125th Anniversary Firefighter Memorial Dedication. Our Fire Department works around the clock to ensure the safety of our community and we are grateful for their service. A special thank you to Fire Chief Gordon Nord Jr., Mayor Christopher Getty, and Village Manager Thomas Sheahan for their hard work in making this ceremony memorable.

 

In a nod to the past, the names of each of the department’s 18 fire chiefs from 1896 to today were read out loud.

A family member, current or former village official, or a special guest placed a white carnation atop the memorial for each name read.

Regarding the present, Getty noted many recent improvements to the fire department

The old pump house was demolished in 2018 to create room for a needed parking lot.

Since 2019, a new fire engine and new fire utility vehicle have been purchased. “Both top-of-the-line pieces of equipment to handle any emergency that may arise,” Getty said.

The fire station has a new roof, and a new HVAC system. Tuckpointing has been done. New all-glass doors will soon be installed on the front of the station, offering passersby a view of fire vehicles.

Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty speaks at the Lyons Fire Department 125th Anniversary commemoration for the Firefighter Memorial Dedication.
Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty speaks at the Lyons Fire Department 125th Anniversary commemoration for the Firefighter Memorial Dedication.

Village Manager Thomas Sheahan noted how things have changed since the department was established on Jan. 1, 1896.

Sheahan noted there was no telephone, radio or internet. The fire station was heated by a wood-burning stove. Fire trucks were horse-drawn. Water was disbursed by firefighters using a hand pump.

“Typically, neighbors assisted firefighters with a bucket brigade, usually drawing water from the Des Plaines River,” Sheahan said. “The work was exhausting, extremely dangerous.”

“I want to thank our great firefighters, especially Chief Nord, for their dedication to their profession,” Sheahan said. “When you pass this beautiful moment, please keep them in your prayers.”

Nord, who started with the department as a cadet in 1977, has been chief since 1997.

With 24 years as chief, Nord is second in longevity only to James Spolar.

Spolar, who died in 2016, was fire chief for 25 years, from 1959 to 1984. His widow, Lois, attended the ceremony.

“He was the first chief that I had the honor of working for,” Nord said. “Jim was an old-school fire chief who moved the department forward. He was important to us.”

His voice choking with emotion several times, Nord thanked residents and former firefighters who attended on a chilly day.

“I asked for 80 degrees and sunny. I guess I only got the sun,” he quipped

Liberty Art Works, Alt Construction, Sign Contractors, Print The Planet and the Advertising Flag Company worked on the project.

The memorial, Nord said, is for all those “who see the unthinkable, witness the destruction of fire, face life and death situations on a regular basis, spend holidays away from their families, and are always on call, ready to serve at a moment’s notice.”

Also attending and placing flowers at the FireFighter Memorial was Bridgeview Mayor and State Senator Steve Landek.

At the end of the ceremony, Lyons resident Carol Adamski presented a donation to the fire department from the family of former fire chief Robert Buonauro, who died in November.

Eddie Wilkowski, who heads the Lyons McCook Business Association, presented a donation of $1,250 from the membership.

Getty then presented Nord with an artist’s drawing of the chief that will be displayed at the fire station “so that Gordy is not forgotten.”

“This man has a heart bigger than this monument,” Getty said. “He really cares not only about the men, the residents, the businesses, (but) the community as a whole.”

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at sm4610@sbcglobal.net
Steve Metsch
Latest posts by Steve Metsch (see all)
  • Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band are still rockin’ - August 10, 2023
  • Weathering personal storms - July 20, 2023
  • Countryside solution irks some - July 20, 2023
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Fire, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:125th, Fire Chief Gordon Nord, Lyons Fire Department, Mayor Christopher Getty

Post navigation

Previous Post: Threatened by Rising Seas: Alaskan Village’s Culture Memorialized in Powerful True Story
Next Post: The Political Grapevine: COVID is the excuse for everything

Related Posts

  • Trump releases winners of 2017 “Fake News” Awards Editors Pick
  • Chicago Immigrant Orchestra performance at St. Xavier College Oct. 7, 2022
    St. Xavier to host Chicago Immigrant Orchestra performance Oct. 7 Culture
  • English: Rod Blagojevich, Emil Jones and Jeffrey Schoenberg at Illinois Executive Mansion (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
    Hard to feel sorry for Blagojevich, but it’s not about him Blogger
  • Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Oterrius Pouncy, from Chicago, Ill., (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John McGovern)
    Active duty sailor sends cheers to Chicago family Chicago
  • Chart showing steady increase in Coronavirus COVID-19 infections in Orland Park, according to IDPH data
    Orland Park experiences worst COVID-19 infection spike in 8 months Cook County
  • Rouhy Shalabi sworn in as an Associate Judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County on Monday Jan. 6, 2020. Photo courtesy of Dave Shalabi.
    Rouhy Shalabi named Associate Judge in Cook County Chicago

More Related Articles

Harlem and 47th getting new lanes News
Wolves sack Griffins, in fourth straight hockey league win Chicago Wolves beat the Grand Rapids Griffins in 4th straight win Cook County
(c)Field Museum, Lucy Hewett Field Museum waives entrance fee for all of February Entertainment
Jerling Junior High School “Winter Concert” News
August 21, 2017 Solar Eclipse from Chicago. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Witnessing the total Solar Eclipse in 1963 Baby Boomers
Village of Orland Park photo courtesy of the Village of Orland Park Orland Park’s Annual Curbside Spring Clean-Up Week of April 8 Government

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN
    July 12, 2025
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Chicago parents and other community leaders must work together to make sure this summer isn’t deadly for our children
    July 3, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    How Technology Changed the Cook County Treasurer’s Office
    June 27, 2025
  • Attorneys Jeffery Leving Arthur Kallow
    Honoring Fathers: A Father’s Day Reflection
    June 13, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Understanding Cook County Property Taxes: A Guide for Homeowners
    June 13, 2025
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Two Guys on Politics Podcast on Elon Musk, Trump’s Parade, LA Riots, and Middle East ban
    June 12, 2025
  • NEWS
  • Police Blotter
    Orland Park Police Department Investigating Fatal Hit-and-Run
    July 12, 2025
  • Taste of Orland Park 2025
    Taste of Orland Park Returns to Village Center with Food, Fun and Festivities
    July 12, 2025
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • SPORTS
  • Chicago Wovles play the Rockford Ice Hogs, Feb. 23, 2025
    Chicago Wolves hockey unveil 2025-26 Season schedule
    July 12, 2025
  • SeatGeek Stadium
    Chivas de Guadalajara and Club Leon to meet in Chicago
    July 12, 2025
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • Taste of Orland Park 2025
    Taste of Orland Park Returns to Village Center with Food, Fun and Festivities
    July 12, 2025
  • Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge
    Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt
    July 12, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme