I too attended Catholic schools my whole grade and high school life, and what Ann from Washington, D.C., said is just as true now as it was back when she and my parents were attending Catholic school. There is that whole attitude of "us vs. them" regarding Catholic vs. public schools, and a sort of kinship is evident amongst all Catholic school veterans. The OLA children were on our side, and it's almost overwhelming knowing something like this happened to "our" side. I am glad the children didn't die in vain, as it appears the fire affected real change in safety codes and fire safety awareness throughout the land. I did not have to worry about the risks of fire because of what happened with OLA, and that is one huge legacy these children (and nuns!) have left us.

It is unfortunate this event isn't as well known as it should be, but I am pleased this website and the outspoken survivors are helping keep this event alive in people's memories, either real or forged by others' accounts. This is an event that should never be forgotten.

Reading everyone's stories and recollections almost feels like I am eavesdropping on something that is so personal I shouldn't hear it. Along with the sheer horror of the fire and what very young children saw and heard, they were told not to discuss it. Of course, I realize things were very different back then and there was no such thing as grief counselors, etc., but it just seems to me to be common sense that anyone, especially kids, would want and NEED to talk about it. And to tell you that "God only takes the good ones" both disgusts me, but is also not surprising of the church.

It took 50 years, but finally those who are willing can finally tell their stories.

Years later I lived in Westchester Illinois. Lived across the street from Queen of Heaven cemetary (Hillside Illinois) where many of the children are buried. Just walking distance to see the marker and graves of so many of the children buried together. It brings sadness and hurt to me to see them. So many of them were my age at the time----may GOD look after them.

Today I live in Mesa Arizona, but will never forget this school fire.

I was born in 1959 and by the age of 5, knew that as an adult, I wanted to be a fire fighter. As I worked toward an Associates Degree in Fire Science in the 1970's, I was then first, exposed to the OLA Fire. It was a historical fire beyond belief. I have now been a professional fire fighter for 29 years in Northeastern Wisconsin. I am also a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator. Along these career paths I found some interesting paralells concerning the OLA fire.

One of the courses I had taken in the 90's was called the Reed Technique of Interviewing. This is a course taught by the FBI that focus' on reading verbal and non-verbal information while interviewing a subject. I was sort of shocked to find that it was John Reed who obtained the admission from the boy who started the fire. Later John Reed developed the interview course I was taught, and by the way, the methods really do work.

Several years ago I earned a national fire investigators certification from the National Association of Fire Investigators. This organization was founded by John Kennedy, no direct relationship to the President. Fire Investigator Kennedy was the bold investigator that placed the origin of the fire at the bottom of the stairwell and stood firm that the fire was lit intentionally. Another wierd connection for me.

Finally in the 1980's, my wife's cousin was married in Chicago. While looking at a family photograph wall in the grooms, parents home, I was approached by the groom's father. As he pointed to a black and white photo of a young boy he asked me, "Your a fire fighter right?" Yes. "Do you know who that is?" gesturing to the black and white photo. No. "That's the last kid to die in the Our Lady of The Angels Fire, he was my cousin, Billy Edington." Goose bumps rose, a moment forever etched on my memory slate. By some wild set of circumstances, I am a long, long, shirt tail relative of one of the OLA Victims. When I bought the book "To Sleep With The Angels," I went directly to the list of those who had died, and sure enough, the last victim of the fire was William Edington.

Through my association with the fire service and the above mentioned connections, I feel close to this fire tragedy. My heart goes out to all those who have suffered, what can only be described as an unimaginable pain, as a result of this event.

No one can turn back the hands of time, you can't, as it is said, unring the bell. But I can vow to remember this historic fire tragedy and attempt to be an effective public fire educator, hopefully preventing this type of fire from ever again occuring.

Thanks. "Fireman Mike"