This weekend, Illinois firefighters gather in Collinsville to train for the saddest duty they perform: burying firefighters killed in the line of duty.
About 260 of Illinois' honor guard firefighters will be trained at their 13th annual convention this weekend. Illinois' statewide honor guard is the largest in the country, with eight districts that respond to the inevitable tragedies in their line of work.
"It's an honor we bestow on our own," Belleville fire engineer Dave Zahn said.
There's at least one line-of-duty funeral in Illinois each year, Belleville Fire Capt. Mike Lanxon said. In addition, the Illinois honor guard assists ceremonies at the national memorial to fallen firefighters in Colorado Springs each year.
The convention offers training in handling the casket, folding flags, drilling and presentation of colors. At opening ceremonies Friday, bagpipers and drummers marched through the Holiday Inn ballroom in a brief demonstration of the skills they will practice all weekend.
But despite the somber nature of the training, the convention itself is cheerful with a lot of camaraderie, they said.
"We get together now and laugh, because the next time we get together, we're going to cry," Zahn said.
Granite City firefighter Trey Peck was among 64 new inductees into the honor guard. He has served with the department two years.
"I've wanted to do this since I joined the department," Peck said. "It's an honor to do this."
This is the farthest south the convention has ever been held. It usually is held in the northern regions nearer Chicago. Collinsville Firefighter Rick Welling reflected that too often, the only time firefighters gather together is when the mourning band must be worn across their shields.
"You present honor, dignity and courage, and all the pageantry that goes with it," he told the group.
In the opening speeches, state Commander Jay Bishop announced his intention to step down after 17 years. His successor has not yet been named.
Belleville firefighter Jeremy DeJournett was selected as the new deputy state commander.
