08/27/2026
We are just 15 days away from the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001.
Over the past several days, members of the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District have been preparing our Firefighters Memorial for this important anniversary. Their work has included polishing the bronze plaques, power washing, and cleaning the memorial grounds.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Village of Algonquin, Illinois for providing and installing new mulch today, and to the Algonquin Garden Club for their continued support and care of this special place.
The centerpiece of the memorial is a 6,000-pound steel floor beam recovered from the World Trade Center and donated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The memorial also honors the two members of the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty:
Firefighter Edwin LeRoy “Roy” Benson, a 16-year member of the Fire District and U.S. Army veteran, suffered a fatal heart attack while advancing a hose line at a residential fire in 1967.
Captain G.D. “Mac” McIntyre served the Fire District for 24 years. He suffered a fatal heart attack following a response to a residential fire in 1976. Captain McIntyre also served as the Civil Defense Director for the Village of Algonquin and Assistant Civil Defense Director for McHenry County.
As we approach this solemn anniversary, we remember Roy, Mac, and all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001—especially the 343 members of the FDNY who made the ultimate sacrifice.
We will never forget.
