On the morning of May 29th, Saddle Brook firefighters, held their annual memorial ceremony at Don Wilson Memorial Park, next to Engine Company 1's firehouse. This ceremony, however, contained something special. After the names of the departed members of the SBFD were read, family members of the late SBFD members, Chief Wilson and Firefighter Joseph Kovolisky, were asked to step up near the corner of the park. At the corner was a new street sign. Chief of Department Thomas Dickman unveiled street signs dedicating the corner to Chief William Don Wilson and Firefighter Joseph Kovolisky.

In 1970, Chief Wilson lost his life in the line of duty after suffering from injuries when his car struck a tree and trapped him for 40-minutes, along what has been described as a hazardous curve on Saddle River Road. The chief was responding to a call of a burning auto that had plunged 30-feet off of the Garden State Parkway.

In 1973, Firefighter Joseph Kovolisky, of Hook & Ladder Co. 1, was operating at a garbage truck fire on Mayhill Street. Suddenly, the fuel tank exploded and FF Kovolisky was caught in the flames and died from his injuries.

Additional street signs were then presented to members of the Wilson and Kovolisky families.

Memorial Day is a time to remember those who were here before us; and, those who made the supreme sacrifice for we who live now. Never forget our past heroes.