Ashes from Ashes

One August day, the Edwardsville Fire Dept. responded to a residential structure fire. Upon arrival, they found the entire second floor involved with extension starting to take place through the roof. An aggressive attack with mutual aid from other area units brought the fire under control in approximately fifteen minutes. Simultaneous salvage operations were underway on the first floor, and smaller, more mobile items were removed from the structure to the relative safety of the yard and driveway. The larger items and furniture were meticulously covered in place with salvage tarps.

An American flag was one of the items salvaged by firefighter/paramedic Rodney Hall. The flag was folded in the familiar triangle consistent with those presented to family members of veterans at the close of funeral ceremonies.

The home was owned by an elderly widow who happened to be out of state visiting relatives at the time of the fire. About an hour into the operation, a man who identified himself as the son of the structure's owner, and the occupant of the second floor of the home, approached firefighter Hall and expressed sincere appreciation to the firefighters for saving that American flag from damage. Not only was the flag indeed the one that was utilized at his father's funeral ceremony, but within that folded flag was the container that held his father's ashes.

Michael J. Karlechik
Fire Chief
Edwardsville Fire Department
Edwardsville, IL