Just days before the world pauses to remember the ultimate sacrifices of 343 FDNY firefighters, four members of an Illinois department have been suspended for refusing to remove American flag decals from their helmets.
Maywood Chief Crag Bronaugh issued an order that all stickers be removed from lockers and helmets, according to CBSChicago..
The four drew the line when it came to the flag decals.
Union spokesman Adam Rosen told the reporter he was “shocked” that an agency of first responders would enforce such an order the week of Sept. 11.
The four, who include two white firefighters, a black firefighter, and a fourth firefighter who is a Cuban émigré, said there have been no racial issues at the department.
A meeting between union officials and the chief went south Tuesday afternoon. Instead of a compromise, he ordered the four suspended, and indicated actions against others are likely, the reporter noted.
