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Brothers & Sisters,
Today we honored the memory of our Brother Jon Flagler.
It was a difficult day, but also a day of sharing fond memories, laughing, as Jon would have, and giving thanks for not only our fire family but also the blessings of this job and the brotherhood and sisterhood we share as we serve the communities of Los Angeles.
Perhaps no one could have summed up the mission of our fire personnel with more depth than Jon’s father-in-law, Dwight Johnson. He said, “Everyone please look around…love and admiration for the many men and women in uniform. They are the same heroes that protect us day in and day out…respect them, honor them, they will give their lives for you, as my son has given his life for you.”
At the service, we heard from Jon’s family and friends and from our fire family. They told stories of his incredible sense of humor and his all-encompassing love of his family and his life.
In his remarks, President Gillotte reminded the Flagler family that they are part of our fire family and they can always count on the “sea of blue” to be there for them forevermore. He continued, “We cannot turn back the clock nor reshape what happened but we can stand strong together.”
Our Local 1014 Executive Board attended and together with International Association of Fire Fighters General Secretary-Treasurer Frank Lima, California Professional Firefighters Secretary-Treasurer Mike Lopez and IAFF 10th District Vice President Stephen Gilman presented The Local 1014 Bible and the IAFF Medal of Valor to Jon’s wife Jenny.
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Yesterday, Jon's home station, Fire Station 13 in Vernon was bunted in black and purple. The Honor Guard and Pipes and Drums, our Vernon Firefighters and Battalion 14 Firefighters were joined in a sea of blue to fly the flag and embrace the Flagler family.
We also had the immense honor of dedicating our Vernon Training Center as the “Jonathan Flagler Memorial Regional Training Center”. The memorial dedication will serve as a reminder for future generations of the sacrifice and service of Brother Flagler. We shall never forget. |
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In Solidarity,
President Dave Gillotte and the Local 1014 Executive Board |
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