For decades, they all worked within the friendly confines of Wrigley field and were all an important part of our Chicago Cubs.
Continue reading “Four Chicago Cubs – Jack, Harry, Ernie, and Sollie”
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Flying with the Angels
The first was Len, born on February 15, 1927, loving son of Frank and Bronislawa “Bertha”. A native of Chicago, he graduated from Lane Technical High School. He was a World War II veteran.and drove a CTA bus for a time. He became a Chicago Police officer on September 21, 1953. In 1954, he was the first patrolman in the United States to use the now famous radar gun and the first to write a speeding ticket having used a radar device.
The second was Irv, born on May 5, 1919, loving son of Irwin and Magdalena, He like Len, was also a native of Chicago, a graduate of Lane Technical and a World War II veteran before joining the Chicago Police Department in 1948.
.Unless you are a Chicago-born senior citizen like myself, you may not have heard or remember them, but please continue reading. Discover what they really did for Chicago, and celebrate their lives. See why I decided to honor them together in this post. Continue reading “Flying with the Angels”
The Battered Helmet
Born in Chicago 12 May 1905, he was Nellie O’Boyle’s son, He began his career in the 1928 Chicago Fire Department candidate class. He served in the Navy in World War II, He was decorated for heroism during a three-day battle against a fire on a tanker loaded with aviation fuel. . he then served just shy of 50 years with the Chicago Fire Department.
He proudly wore a battered helmet, who in a 1971 interview said “I wouldn’t trade it for a solid gold one. I have worn that helmet since it was given to me the first day I entered the fire academy as a recruit. It was my good luck charm.”
He invented a most innovative piece of fire fighting apparatus, the snorkel.
The Rest of Paul Aurandt’s Story
He was a larger than life American with much to say. His words went near and far every day until his death in 2009. His voice now silent, he is entombed in a modest family mausoleum in Section 49 of Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park.
Born Tulsa Oklahoma in 1918 to Harry Harrison Aurandt, a policeman killed . Paul found his calling early in Tulsa, and later moved to Chicago to continue his craft. In addition to his chosen profession, he was an avid pilot. . He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, but neither defines his talent that we know.
He woke every morning at 3:30AM in his River Forest home, followed the same daily routine, and then drove to downtown Chicago to his work. There he spoke to all of us in the heartland, serving enduring family values and the old-fashioned plain talk we once heard around the dinner table. Continue reading “The Rest of Paul Aurandt’s Story”
Chicago and Cook County Cemeteries 