Homer Firefighter Takes Station Flag On Military Deployment

HOMER GLEN, IL — At the beginning of the month, Homer Township Fire Protection District firefighter and paramedic Danielle Fary left for deployment with the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

Fire district officials did not say where Fary is being deployed, but wherever she goes, she will take a little bit of home with her. The district held a ceremony for Fary to lower the Homer Township Professional Fire Fighters Local 4223 flag and take it with her.

When Fary returns, the flag will once again be raised at station 3 on 151st Street.

Deputy Chief Dave Bricker said Fary has worked full time for the district since 2006.

"If any members, [she] happens to be the first, are deployed, they get the flag and take it with them," Bricker said.

The new tradition started last year, when the fire district raised the Local 4223 flag to fly at stations with the American flag. If a member retires, there will be a ceremony, and they will receive the flags that fly at their station during their last shift. If a military member is deployed, that member will take the Local 4223 flag with them on their deployment.

"So, if you see the flag missing from a station, it is somewhere in the world with a service member and will return when that service member returns to duty at Homer Fire," the district said in a Facebook post announcing the tradition.

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