Welcome to the AFFI Honor Guard

Providing honorable services for fallen AFFI members.

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Oath:

Honor Guard Oath

Written by Thomas J. Matousek Jr. Forest Park Local #2753

demo TO HONOR, TO CHERISH, TO REMEMBER, TO SALUTE, WITH OVERWHELMING PRIDE FOR YOU, MY COMRADE I WILL.

CurrentNews

Here's what's new:

Illinois Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial/Medal of Honor Ceremony: Thursday May 9, 2013 Springfield .

UpcomingEvents

Watch for events.

demo Click HERE to view our upcoming events for the year.

Our Mission

The Mission of the AFFI Honor Guard shall be to Promote the Associated Firefighters of Illinois, the Locals therein, and the fire service as a whole, to the public, in a positive and proper fashion. To Provide, as a line of duty death benefit, dignified, honorable services for fallen AFFI members, their surviving family members, and union brothers and sisters through organization of and participation in funeral and memorial services.

Our Oath:

AFFI Honor Guard Oath: The AFFI Honor Guard Oath was written by former State Commander Thomas J. Matousek Jr., a retired member of Forest Park Local #2753. He was asked by the Honor Guards first State Commander Jay Bishop of Springfield Local #37 to come up with an Oath for the Honor Guard. The Oath is memorized by each and every Honor Guard Member who swears to uphold the traditions which are exemplified by the words written in this oath.

TO HONOR, TO CHERISH, TO REMEMBER, TO SALUTE, WITH OVERWHELMING PRIDE FOR YOU, MY COMRADE I WILL: These are the words that help guide each Member of the AFFI Honor Guard as they train, teach, and finally assist in services for our fallen Comrades.

Welcome

Training Reminder:

This is a reminder that if you will need to complete 3 required trainings (One can be Convention), prior to October 31, 2013 in order to qualify to go to Convention in 2014. Please go to the Districts page to see upcoming drills in your area to meet your required trainings for the year. If there are any questions as to what these requirements are, please refer to the By-Laws. Remember, you can always attend another District's Drill location if it is closer to your home.

Welcome to the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois Honor Guard!

On February 8-10th, AFFI members gathered at the Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL for the 21st Annual AFFI Honor Guard Convention. Schaumburg Local 4092 hosted this event and did an outstanding job. Our sincere Thanks and appreciation go out to the Convention Committee and volunteers for all the time and planning to host a great event. In front of close to 800 guests who were in attendance, the new inductee's took the oath to Honor, Cherish, Remember and to do "Whatever It Takes". President Devaney addressed the membership and guests, expressing his deep appreciation for the service and commitment of the Honor Guard when called upon. President Devaney was joined by Carol Stream Deputy Fire Chief & Former Chicago Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff. Chief Hoff expressed his appreciation of the Honor Guard and recalled as a young child the day his father was killed in the line of duty. He described how his mother was left to raise 6 children on her own, that back then the fire service did not have the Honor Guards of today and the resources available to families to assist them in the grieving process. We also were joined by Christopher Heisler, President & CEO, United States Honor Flag. Mr. Heisler provided a video and explained the history of the flag. The Honor Flag continues to play a part of services for Firefighters, Law Enforcement and Military who are killed on the line of duty. We were extremely proud to have the distinct privilege of displaying this piece of history at our ceremony.

As a tradition in honoring our fallen Brothers & Sisters from the previous year, ribbons were tied into the Honor Guard flag in the memory of Deputy Chief Walter T. Beahan (Bloomingdale L-3272), Captain Herbie Johnson (Chicago L-2) and Firefighter Walter Patmon, Jr (Chicago L-2) who made the ultimate sacrifice in 2012. A memorial table honored our Brothers with their picture, a rose and dress gloves, as candles illuminated the bunting that draped the display. Their memory will live on forever in our hearts.

This year the Honor Guard created a new award. AFFI Honor Guard Commitment To Excellence Award. For commitment & dedication above and beyond. An individual who lives the motto "Whatever It Takes" and realizes the purpose of the Honor Guard is bigger than any one individual. An individual that embodies the selfless spirit of the Honor Guard Family. With his Family by his side, the award was presented to District 7 Commander Daniel Bower (Freeport L-441). Congratulations to Dan for going above and beyond and doing "Whatever It Takes" he is a role model for others to follow.

The AFFI Honor Guard is over 650 strong consisting of dedicated members that continuously train throughout the year, with the commitment to Honor, Cherish and Remember our Brothers & Sisters when they make the ultimate sacrifice.

We will continue to be there for you in your time of need.

Jeff H. Bruno, State Commander

AFFI Honor Guard

2013 AFFI Honor Guard Commitment To Excellence Award

Women in Fire & Emergency Services Article

Click Here to read the article by Commander Jeff Bruno about the women of the AFFI Honor Guard. Please scroll down to page 5 of this issue of Fire Work from April 4, 2012.

Photo's are available from the 2013 Honor Guard Convention

Here is the link to view and order photo's from the 21st AFFI Honor Guard Convention. http://wcsphoto.zenfolio.com/p1012426650
Thanks again to Stephan Bates for taking photo's at the convention again this year. Here is his information:

WCS Photography
1215 E. Wilson Ave
Wheaton, IL 60189
630-253-5441
sales@wcsphoto.com
www.wcsphoto.com

Mission Statement

The Mission of the AFFI Honor Guard shall be:

A. Promote the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, the Locals therein, and
the fire service as a whole, to the public, in a positive and proper fashion.

B.     Provide, as a line of duty death benefit, dignified, honorable services for
        fallen AFFI members, their surviving family members, and union brothers
        and sisters through organization of and participation in funeral and
        memorial services.

Mailing List

Please sign up on our Mailing List. Hopefully, this option will make notifications of LODD's much faster. This is a free service with a maximum of 500 subscribers, so please only sign up if you are a current Active AFFI Honor Guard Member. If you know members who are not subscribers, please e-mail or call them if a LODD notification comes to your e-mail. I will also send out notifications for events, parades, etc. You can also sign up to be on the AFFI Honor Guard mailing list on the AFFI web site when you register, just mark that you are an AFFI Honor Guard Member in the check boxes that are presented when you register. REMEMBER- if you change your e-mail address, to register again on this site, as your notifications will no longer be sent to your new address unless you have updated the information.

Activation Notification

When a Line of Duty Death of any Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois Member occurs, this home page will be the place for finding information about line up, visitation, and/or funeral arrangements. Information is posted here as quickly and as accurately as possible. E-mails are also blasted to members on the above Newsletter list, as well as the AFFI blast e-mail system. Please keep in mind that although there may be a firefighter death, the AFFI Honor Guard is only activated when it is requested by the family. A request from that members Union President goes to AFFI President Pat Devaney, who then activates the AFFI Honor Guard through State Commander Bruno.