The Courier-News recently published a touching piece on Elgin's tribute to two fallen firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice over four decades ago. A solemn memorial at the Kimball Street River Walk stands as a powerful reminder of the tragic events that took place 40 years ago, when two brave members of the Elgin Fire Department lost their lives while trying to save a teenager from drowning. On June 2, 1974, fire Captain Stanley Balsis, 45, and Michael Whalen, 25, were killed after their rescue boat struck a concrete wall beneath the Kimball Street Bridge. The teen, who had taken a blow-up raft on a dare, was thrown into the water but survived. Balsis and Whalen fought against the raging currents, but the river proved too strong, and their efforts to escape were in vain. This past Sunday, on the 40th anniversary of the tragedy, the Balsis family honored their father by placing a wreath in the river, a tradition that continues to symbolize remembrance and respect. Christopher McMillan, a grandson of Balsis, has met many locals who still remember the event vividly. For the Balsis children—Brad, Linda, Curt, and Sharon—their father’s legacy lives on through photos and memorabilia displayed in their homes. Patrick Crawford, then a young paramedic in training, recalls the day with clarity. He was among the first to arrive at the scene and later left his career to focus on his business, Elgin Medi-Transport Inc. An unspoken grief Larry Judkins, a retired firefighter, still carries the haunting image of Balsis and Whalen struggling in the water, like "clothes in a front-load washing machine." Though he often wonders what could have been done differently, he knows the outcome would not have changed. “The river is dangerous if you don’t respect it,†he says. The memorial, surrounded by stone columns topped with bronze fire helmets, features headshots of Balsis and Whalen in their formal uniforms. It also tells the story of their final call—a moment of heroism that remains etched in the hearts of the community. It serves as a daily reminder of the ultimate sacrifice these two firefighters made in the line of duty. Their memory endures, not just on this day, but every day, in the hearts of those who knew them and those who continue to honor their legacy. Thanks Dan Stainless Steel Seamless Pipes for Sale,Stainless Seamless Steel Pipe,304 Stainless Steel Seamless Pipe Guangdong Tonglian Pipeline Technology Co., Ltd , https://www.tonglianpipeline.com