Click photo to enlarge.
A flag flies over the Central Fire Station, beneath the U.S. flag. It has a lone star, but it’s neither the flag of Texas nor Puerto Rico.
It is a “service flag,” denoting that a member of the Fire Department is currently serving overseas in the military during a time of armed conflict.
According to AFD Chief Keith Hoyle, the flag honors the service of Ron Ryczek, who is flying medical helicopters in Iraq with the Massachusetts National Guard. Hoyle says Ryczek is nearing the end of his deployment and is due back home after Thanksgiving.
Ryczek is the third member of the department to be deployed in recent years, said Hoyle. Dave Dion has returned from tours in Kosovo and Cuba, and Jeff Olmstead has served twice in Kuwait.
Hoyle credits AFD Captain Brian Sterling with the suggestion last year that the department fly the service flag. The chief was granted permission to do so by then-Town Manager Barry Del Castilho.
The International Association of Fire Fighters features an active duty photo of Ryczek on its Web site. Click here and scroll down to the picture titled “IAFF Members Fly MEDEVAC Missions in Iraq.”
-- Stephanie O’Keeffe
