FHVFD Honor Guard 2004
Left to right: Lt. J Broome, Chaplain M. Davis, J. Cantrell, J.R. McIntyre, M. Price, C. Cranford, B. Hucks, & D.Thornberg (CFD)

 

After the events of September 11, 2001, the Flint Hill Fire Department realized the need for a ceremonial honor guard to represent the department and others in the surrounding area in a professional and reverent manner for Line of Duty Deaths, firefighter funerals, and firefighter memorials, but also to provide services for invocations, parades, ceremonies, or other events. Shortly after September 11, 2002, the Flint Hill Fire Department membership voted to approve the founding of a department honor guard.

In 2002, with the assistance of Jim "Miami" Irwin (Charlotte Fire Department, ret), the Honor Guard was formed and organized. Charter members being Joe Cantrell, Jerry Chapman, Chris Cranford, Mike Davis, Jake Edwards, Matt Edwards, Brent Hucks, and JR McIntyre. Jerry Chapman was elected as the guard's first coordinator and Mike Davis as the first assistant coordinator. It was decided that the guard would be operated in the same manner as the fire department regarding elections and voting. The first bylaws were drafted and accepted. The Flint Hill Fire Department Honor Guard was activated in late 2002.

The Flint Hill Honor Guard currently has an application process where unit candidates are screened and voted on by the current members of the guard. Members of the guard must be member firefighters of the department and are required to serve three year terms of service and may stay on for any length of time following the three year commitment.

The Honor Guard has performed at such events as the invocations for the Charlotte Bobcats and Charlotte Sting basketball teams and Charlotte Knights AAA baseball team. The guard has also marched in various parades around the area and presented colors at other events such as the South Carolina Fire Chiefs Association and York County Volunteer Recognition Day at Knight's stadium, and several local churches. The Honor Guard has also had the distinct honor and privilege to perform the services of colors presentation, casket watch, and the folding of the National Colors at the funerals of several fellow firefighters. The guard has also participated in the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland in 2004 and 2005.