Hoffman Estates Firefighters Honor Veterans
November 9, 2009 – If you happen to see a Hoffman Estates firefighter over the next few days, you might notice something a little different. In honor of our country’s military veterans, the Fire Department will be wearing honorary camouflage shirts on November 10, 11, and 12th. Fire Chief Robert Gorvett of the Hoffman Estates Fire Department and the Hoffman Estates Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 2061(HEPFFA Local 2061) have agreed to allow the members of the Fire Department to wear the "Wounded Warriors" shirts in honor of Veterans' Day.
“The members of our department have strong ties to the military and we truly appreciate the sacrifices our servicemen and women have made for all of us,” said Dean Slater, President of the HEPFFA Local 2061.
In fact, the ties are so strong because a large number of the department is either former military or currently serving. Today, the Hoffman Estates Fire Department has one firefighter deployed to Iraq and has a second firefighter with orders to be deployed to Afghanistan in January. Two more firefighters have already been deployed overseas and more than 20 percent of the 103-man department has served in the military.
The honorary shirt campaign was spawned from members of the Fire Department's Union Local 2061 who wanted to do something to help the soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The HEPFFA Local 2061 printed shirts and sold them to residents, members, and other departments raising over $2500 to date.
Shirts are still available for purchase through the HEPFFA Local 2061 by sending an email with your contact information to woundedwarriors@iaff2061.org. A union representative will contact you regarding your order. Shirts are $20.00 each and are available in several different camouflage colors.
All money raised will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project, a national organization that advocates positive changes in veteran’s benefits and policy.
“We believe there is no greater sacrifice than that made by a soldier defending our country,” said Slater. “This is one small way we can give back.”
About the Hoffman Estates Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 2061
HEPFFA Local 2061 is the voice for the Union members of the Hoffman Estates Fire Department. The HEPFFA Local 2061 is a member-run organization that regularly sponsors worthy philanthropic projects that give back to the community.
About Wounded Warrior Project
The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Its purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service members, to help severely injured men and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. To learn more, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
