Services for Chicago Lt. Kevin Ward

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Brothers and Sisters,

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the Line of Duty Death of Lieutenant/EMT Kevin P. Ward of Chicago, Local 2.  Brother Ward passed away on Monday, August 28th, from injuries sustained while battling a house fire on August 11th. Brother Ward was 58 years old.

By orders of AFFI President Chuck Sullivan, the AFFI Honor Guard is activated.

Brother Ward’s services are as follows:

Visitation: Wednesday, September 13th, 2023, from 0900-1100hrs, at Fourth Presbyterian Church- 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, IL 60611. There will be a firefighter walk-through at 1030hrs. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1000hrs.

Service: Wednesday, September 13th, 2023, at 1100hrs, at Fourth Presbyterian Church- 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, IL 60611

Interment: Private.

Please plan on attending, and please bring Local flags and tools for the services. I know, as always, you will all do Whatever It Takes to Honor, Cherish, Remember, and Salute Brother Ward, his family, and his Local.

Fraternally,

Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
[email protected]

Jacek Brylewski Rolling Meadows L3075 Services

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Brothers and Sisters,

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Firefighter/Paramedic Jacek Brylewski of Rolling Meadows Firefighters and Paramedics, Local 3075.  Brother Brylewski passed away unexpectedly Thursday, August 24th. He is survived by his wife, Tana, and five children.

Although this is NOT an activation, Brother Brylewski’s family and Local have asked for Honor Guard attendance at his services.

Details for Brother Brylewski’s services are as follows:

Memorial Service: Wednesday, September 6th, from 1600hrs-2000hrs, at Meadows Funeral Home- 3615 Kirchoff Rd., Rolling Meadows, IL 60008. There will be a Fire Department/First Responder walk through at 1900hrs. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1830hrs.

Please do what you can to attend and honor Brother Brylewski, his family, and his Local.

Fraternally,

Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
[email protected]

Phillip “PhilPal” Palczynski

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Brothers and Sisters,

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Firefighter/Paramedic Phillip “PhilPal” Palczynski of Arlington Heights, Local 3105. Brother Palczynski passed away Sunday, June 4th. Brother Palczynski was 53 years old and is survived by his wife, Susan, and two children, Kevin, and Kate.

Although this is not an activation, Brother Palczynski’s family and Local have asked for Honor Guard participation.

Brother Palczynski’s services are as follows:

Wake: Monday, June 12th, 2023, from 1500hrs to 2000hrs, at Adams-Winterfield and Sullivan Funeral Home- 4343 Main St., Downers Grove, IL 60515. There will be a firefighter walk-through at 1900hrs. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1830hrs.

Procession: Tuesday, June 13th, 2023, at 0930hrs, at Adams-Winterfield and Sullivan Funeral Home- 4343 Main St., Downers Grove, IL 60515. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 0900hrs.

Mass: Tuesday, June 13th, 2023, at 1000hrs, at St. Joe’s Church- 4801 Main St., Downers Grove, IL 60515.

The affected Local is in District 5. Jeff Boetto and Leon Lake will be helping Arlington Heights coordinate the services. Please direct any questions you may have to them.

Please do what you can to attend. I know, as always, you will all do Whatever It Takes to Honor, Cherish, Remember, and Salute Brother Palczynski, his family, and his Local.

Fraternally,

Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
[email protected]

Jermaine Pelt LODD

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It is with great sadness that I inform you of the Line of Duty Death of Firefighter/EMT Jermaine A. Pelt  of Chicago, Local 2.  Brother Pelt passed away Tuesday, April 4th while battling a house fire. Brother Pelt was 49 years old and is survived by two children.

By orders of AFFI President Chuck Sullivan, the AFFI Honor Guard is activated. 

Brother Pelt’s services are as follows:

Visitation: Thursday, April 13th, 2023, from 1500hrs to 2200hrs, at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home 4727 W 103rd St Oak Lawn IL  60453. There will be a firefighter walk-through at 1900hrs. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1830hrs.

Service: Friday, April 14th, 2023, at 1100hrs, at House of Hope 752 E 114th St. Chicago, IL 60628.

Interment: Friday, April 14th, 2023, following the service, at Lincoln Cemetery 12300 S. Kedzie Ave. Blue Island, IL  60406.

Please plan on attending, and please bring Local flags and tools for the services. I know, as always, you will all do Whatever It Takes to Honor, Cherish, Remember, and Salute Brother Pelt, his family, and his Local.

I know you all understand this means we’ll be carrying out our commitment Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week.  I know this is tough, but it’s what we all took an oath to do.  Please look out for each other.  I’ll see you all in a few days.

Fraternally,

Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
[email protected]

 

Lt. Jan Tchoryk LODD

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Brothers and Sisters,

I know most of you are already aware of the tragedies that struck Chicago, Local 2 this week. Two brothers gone in two days, on separate incidents. We have the arrangements for Lieutenant/EMT Jan Tchoryk. As soon as we get the information for Firefighter Jermain Pelt, I will forward it.

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the Line of Duty Death of Lieutenant Jan M. Tchoryk of Chicago, Local 2.  Brother Tchoryk passed away Wednesday, April 5th while battling a high-rise fire. Brother Tchoryk was 55 years old and is survived by his wife and three adult children.

By orders of AFFI President Chuck Sullivan, the AFFI Honor Guard is activated. 

Brother Tchoryk’s services are as follows:

Visitation: Wednesday, April 12th, 2023, from 1500hrs to 2100hrs, at Cumberland Chapels- 8300 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge, IL 60706. There will be a firefighter walk-through at 1930hrs. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1900hrs.

Service: Thursday, April 13th, 2023, at 1000hrs, at St. Joseph Ukrainian Catholic Church- 5000 N. Cumberland Ave., Chicago, IL 60656.

Interment: Thursday, April 13th, 2023, following the service, at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery- 8851 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631.

Please plan on attending, and please bring Local flags and tools for the services. I know, as always, you will all do Whatever It Takes to Honor, Cherish, Remember, and Salute Brother Tchoryk, his family, and his Local.

Fraternally,

Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
[email protected]

Tad Robison Duty-Related Death

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Brothers and Sisters,

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the duty related death of Captain Tad Robison of Rock Island Arsenal, IAFF Local F 292. Brother Robison passed away on April 2nd, 2023, after a long battle with occupational cancer. He was 52 years old, and is survived by his wife, Michelle, and an adult daughter.

Although this is NOT an activation, Brother Robison’s family and Local have asked for Honor Guard participation.

Brother Robison’s services are as follows:

Fire Department Walk-Through: Monday, April 10th, 2023, at 1500hrs at Vibrant Arena- 1201 River Dr., Moline, IL 61265. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1430 hrs.

Visitation: Monday, April 10th, 2023, from 1600hrs to 2000hrs at Vibrant Arena- 1201 River Dr., Moline, IL 61265.

Funeral: Tuesday, April 11th, 2023, at 1000hrs, at Vibrant Arena- 1201 River Dr., Moline, IL 61265.

Fire Department Procession: Tuesday, April 11th, 2023, immediately following the funeral service, to Rock Island Arsenal Fire Department- 2932 Rodman Ave., Rock Island, IL 61299. There will be a service at the fire station immediately following the procession.

If you have any questions, or need more information, please contact 7th District Commander Keith Fritz at (779) 777-3931.

Please do what you can to attend and honor Brother Robison, his family, and his Local.

Fraternally,

Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
[email protected]

Service Details for Andy Cutting

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See the following press release from the Skokie Fire Department regarding the service for Brother Andy Cutting.

 

 

2023 Honor Guard Apparel Store

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The online apparel store of the 2023 AFFI Honor Guard Convention is now open. Orders will be placed through U.S. Safety Products.

Deadline for orders is December 20th, 2022.

 

Follow the link here: https://affiapparel.itemorder.com/shop/home/

30th Annual Honor Guard Convention- New Inductee Packet

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30th Annual AFFI Honor Guard Convention Sponsorship

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Bartlett Professional Firefighters Local 3982 are proud to host the 30th Annual AFFI Honor Guard Convention on Jan. 27-29th, 2023 in Lombard.

While the registration packets are not available yet, the host is opening up sponsorships for the event. The current economic situation will no doubt make hosting this endeavor more expensive than previous years so please share with your Local leadership and any potential sponsors

Refer questions to the contacts listed on the form.

 

Thank you!

 

Download here:

Honor Guard Sponsorship 2023 .pdf