A suburban auto body shop owner and a retired firefighter are teaming up to honor New York firefighters on the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Together they restored a vintage fire truck, but the reason behind their bond goes much deeper.
John Tobin arrived at a fire station on Staten Island to return a piece of history.
“FDNY really embraces their history,” he said. “It’s the love of the fire service and the respect that one tries to give back.”
The special moment was captured on cellphone video on Tuesday ahead of the 25th anniversary of September 11.
“It’s just a great honor to remember those who were murdered that day on 9/11,” he said.
The retired Elgin firefighter spent two years restoring the front of this vintage fire truck for Ladder Company 81. The truck served several communities before ending up at a dealer in Shorewood. His friend reached out to him about the truck.
“He said, ‘John, hey, we got this truck we’re cutting it up, would you want the cab?’” he said.
Tobin teamed up with Danny Ahlgrim, the owner of A&A Body Shop in Palatine to restore it.
“His father was killed in a fire in Palatine, Illinois years ago when he was 7 years old so he would not accept any money for the refurb,” he said.
The two shared a special bond working on this project. Tobin’s father was working alongside Ahlgrim’s dad battling the flames in 1973. He got a chance to share his personal story with the New York firemen.
“I got emotional talking about my dad and his department and the deaths,” he said.
Tobin told NBC Chicago this marks the fourth restoration and his last.
“They have the truck, they’ll have it forever, that’s the final story,” he said.
As America pays tribute to the heroes and the lives lost, Tobin reflects on this fateful day in history.
“Never forget, respect, remember, and to thank all the guys out in New York—I love them all,” he said.
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