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State Fire Marshal to Honor Firefighters for their Heroic Efforts and Remember those Lost in the Line-Of-Duty

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal is hosting the 30th Annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service and Medal of Honor Ceremony.

Members from the fire service will gather at the fallen firefighter memorial to honor those who have died in the line-of-duty in the past and assemble at the Bank of Springfield Center to honor those who have selflessly given their all protecting the citizens of their communities during 2022.

Six firefighters will be awarded the Medal of Honor. Recipients are from the Belleville Fire Department, Bradley Fire Department, Collinsville Fire Department, Chicago Fire Department, and Plainfield Fire Department.

This is the highest award given by the State of Illinois to a firefighter for an act of outstanding bravery or heroism, by which the firefighter has demonstrated in great degree the characteristics of selflessness and personal courage above and beyond the call of duty, under adverse conditions, with the possibility of extreme personal risk.

house fire on the 9100 block of 169th place in Orland Hills on the evening of March 18, 2022 — Orland Fire Protection District firefighters respond to house fire in Orland Hills, Illinois on March 18, 2022

Twenty-three firefighters will be awarded with the Medal of Valor award. Recipients are from the Belleville Fire Department, Elgin Fire Department, and Highland Park Fire Department. The award is given by the State of Illinois to a firefighter for an act of heroism or bravery that clearly demonstrated courage and dedication in the face of danger while in the performance of duty.

Twenty-three firefighters will receive the Firefighter Excellence Award for an act of service in the line of duty, demonstrating excellence and professionalism in service to their fellow Illinoisans. Recipients are from the Belleville Fire Department, Blue Island Fire Department, Highland Park Fire Department, Huntley Fire Protection District, and Sesser Fire Protection District.

When and Where: Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Fallen Firefighter Memorial will start at 10 AM at the Firefighter Memorial on the State Capitol Grounds in Springfield.

Medal of Honor Ceremony to follow at the Bank of Springfield Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, Springfield, IL 62701

Who: For more information, please contact JC Fultz, Public Information Officer at OSFM, by calling 217-685-2041 or emailing jc.fultz@illinois.gov

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Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.

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