Welcome to the AFFI Honor Guard
Providing honorable services for fallen AFFI members.
Oath:
Honor Guard Oath
Written by Thomas J. Matousek Jr. Forest Park Local #2753
TO HONOR,
TO CHERISH,
TO REMEMBER,
TO SALUTE,
WITH OVERWHELMING PRIDE
FOR YOU, MY COMRADE
I WILL.
CurrentNews
Here's what's new:
2012 Honor Guard Clinic May 17th-May
19th, City of Milwaukee Safety Academy, click HERE for the flier.
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
Welcome to the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois Honor Guard!
2012 AFFI Honor Guard Induction Ceremony
On January 27-29th, AFFI members converged upon the City of Collinsville, IL, for the 20th Annual AFFI Honor Guard Convention/Induction Ceremony. AFFI Honor Guard District 1 members hosted this event and did an outstanding job. Our sincere Thanks go out to the Convention Committee and Volunteers for a job well done. It was truly Southern Hospitality at its best.
This year the Honor Guard inducted 49 new members into the unit and 2 members were welcomed into the Pipes & Drums. In front of about 600 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 members and guests, expressing his deep appreciation for the services provided by our AFFI Honor Guard. The comfort and presence of the Guard, provided to the families and locals of our fallen members during their unfortunate time of need is invaluable. He further explained the Guards personal impact on his home local, Champaign 1260, during his tenure as President. The support received was instrumental in assisting his local members cope with the loss of their brother.
President Devaney was joined by Deputy Fire Chief Billy Goldfeder of the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department in S.W. Ohio. Chief Goldfeder provided a perspective on what we're doing in the fire service, things we shouldn’t being doing on the fire ground and things we need to consider, not only for ourselves but our loved ones as well.
As is tradition in honoring fallen Honor Guard members, a ribbon was tied into the Honor Guard flag in memory of Kevin Oldham (Waukegan L. 473), who made the ultimate sacrifice in 2011. A memorial table honored Brother Oldham with his picture, a rose, and dress gloves, as candles illuminated the bunting that draped the display. His memory will live forever in our hearts.
The AFFI Honor Guard is now over 600 strong. Consisting of members that continuously train throughout the year, with the commitment to Honor, Cherish and Remember our Brothers and 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
Jeff H. Bruno, State Commander
Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois Honor Guard
Photo's are available from the 2012 Honor Guard Convention
Here is the link to view and order photo's from the
20th AFFI Honor Guard Convention.
http://wcsphoto.zenfolio.com/p860543434
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.
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