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:

2012 Induction Ceremony Registration packets are now on the Upcoming Events page and the AFFI Web site. On-line registration is available on the AFFI site.

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

Welcome to the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois Honor Guard!

On January 30, 1993 69 members of the Associated Firefighters of Illinois formed the 1st ever statewide Honor Guard. Our membership is now close to 600 strong. Through the years, this Honor Guard has been there to honor, to cherish, to remember our fallen comrades and bestow respect and dignity to our comrades family. This has been and will continue to be our commitment to you "Whatever It Takes."

As this Honor Guard begins it's 19th year of existence, we are reminded as firefighters the dangers we are confronted with everyday. In 2010, this Honor Guard paid their respects to 7 of our Fallen Comrades. We look forward that 2011 will be a better year for the fire service. But know if called upon, this Honor Guard will take great pride to uphold the tradition and integrity that has made us who we are today.

The members of this Honor Guard continue to participate in many events throughout the year. The Illinois Fallen Firefighter Memorial & Firefighter Medal of Honor Awards Ceremony in Springfield, IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial Ceremony in Colorado Springs, various other ceremonies & events in their communities.

I invite all who visit this website to use this information, and I hope you find the information here beneficial.

In Brotherhood,

Jeff H. Bruno

State Commander AFFI Honor Guard

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 occures, 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.