Rest In Peace: John "Jack" Gallapo- A Quiet Hero of Korea

 Chicago Fireman John " Jack" Gallapo (left) and Chief Jim Corbett spent their wonder years in Korea as Marines. Here they are in 2011 at the re-dedication ceremony for Leo High School's Medal of Honor Hero John Fardy, USMC.

 Gallapo, John J., Jr., USMC - Awarded: Silver Star - Korean War

 Gallapo,Jr., John "Jack" Ret. CFD, Veteran USMC. Beloved husband of the late Joyce M. Gallapo (nee Walsh); loving father of Michael (Maureen) CFD, Robert (Gay Marie) CFD, Jane Hoff, John (Lauretta), and William (Anna) Gallapo CFD; cherished grandfather of 12; adored great-grandfather of 6; fond brother of the late Lois (the late AI) Wegenast; dear brother-in-law of Lorane Ryan and Patricia (Henry) Thompson; dear uncle of many nieces and nephews. Visitation Wednesday, from 2:00pm until 9:00 pm. Funeral service Thursday, 10:30 am at Curley Funeral Home, 6116 West 111th Street, Chicago Ridge. Interment private. Past president of Chicago Fire Fighters Union Local #2, B.A. Local #2, 60 year member of Cement Mason Union Local #502, presently serving as Sargent of Arms. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Chicago Fire Department Widows and Orphans Fund, 20 South Clark, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60603 would be appreciated. 708-422-2700

Christ, welcome home a hero. 

God Be With Our Firefighters!

CFD personnel evacuate an injured firefighter at a alarm fire at 1700 East 75th Street. (E. Jason Wambsgans/ Chicago Tribune)
UPDATE - I just spoke with Fire Hero Jim McMahon (CFD ret.) and learned of the deaths and circumstances of these young fireighters. No names were given. Here is the latest from the Chicago Sun Times -

Two Chicago firefighters were killed Wednesday morning after they were trapped when a wall collapsed at an abandoned, one-story, brick former laundry building on East 75th Street near South Shore High School.

Four other firefighters also were trapped before being pulled to safety.

Swarms of fellow firefighters flooded the disaster scene, furiously digging through rubble to find the missing firefighters. When they were located, they were quickly carried out of the building, with firefighters clearing a path.

God Bless Their Souls and May Christ Comfort Their Families.


This morning, while I worried about my self, Chicago firefighters were risking life and limb to save people and property. My neighbors are firefighters and policemen. They are generous, happy, dedicated young people.

They get a bad rap from the media at every possible turn and usually about some nonsense.

These heroes go where we would not. At least four CFD heroes are injured and one firefighter is as yet 'unaccounted for' - which means that a family is in horrific anguish.

May God Bless these young people who do so much for us all and shelter this firefighter in particular.

At least two other firefighters to taken to other hospitals but their conditions also were not known.
About half a dozen police cars and several fire vehicles were parked in front of the emergency room at Northwestern. Truck 122 pulled up and three firefighters walked in, including a lieutenant. One firefighter from Truck 122 was on a cell phone and wiped away tears with his jacket.

The fire broke out about 6:54 a.m. in the abandoned one-story brick building in the 1700 block of East 75th Street.

The fire was raised to two and then three alarms to save the trapped firefighters. A "mayday" was called. Firefighters also reported having problems with frozen hydrants.

God Send Grace to The Wheatley Family and All Firefighters- St. Florian Be With You!

Christopher Wheatley, 31, died early Monday after he fell several stories on the scene if a West Loop restaurant fire.

Wheatley's funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Fisher Church, 10234 S. Washtenaw Ave., Chicago. But first, friends, family and fellow firefighters will hold a prayer service and a procession, and then Wheatley's body will be taken to the church in a Chicago fire truck.

May St. Florian* Patron of Firefighters give you strength and the peace that comes with it.

Firefighter's Prayer of St. Florian

Dear God, Through the intercession of our patron, Saint Florian, have mercy on the souls of our comrades who have made the supreme sacrifice in the performance of their duty, and on all who have gone before us after years of faithful discharge of their responsibilities which now rest on ourselves. Give us Grace to prepare each day for our own summons to Thy tribunal of justice. Into Thy hands O Lord, I commend my spirit. Withersoever Thou callest me, I am ready to go. Merciful Father of all men, save me from all bodily harm, if it be Thy will, but above all, help me to be loyal and true, respectful and honorable, obedient and valiant. Thus fortified by virtue, I shall have no fear, for I shall then belong to Thee and shall never be separated from Thee.

Amen.

Florian lived in the time of the Roman emperors Diocletian and Maximian, and was commander of the imperial army in the Roman province of Noricum. In addition to his military duties, he was also responsible for organizing firefighting brigades.

The Roman regime sought to eradicate Christianity, and sent Aquilinus to persecute Christians. When Aquilinus ordered Florian to offer sacrifice to the pagan Roman gods in accordance with Roman religion, he refused, and cheerfully accepted the beatings of the soldiers, who used clubs, spikes and fire to torture him. He was executed by drowning in the Enns River with a stone tied around his neck.

Later a woman named Valeria had a vision in which she saw him; Florian, in this vision, declared his intent to be buried in a more appropriate location.