Fire Academy starts new tradition — Patriot Run with U.S. flag
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The El Paso Fire Department is starting a new tradition for its trainees as they go through the Fire Training Academy.
Starting with the current class — Number 105 — trainees will participate in this new ritual — a 'Patriot Run.' This involves carrying the U.S. flag during group runs on important days and holidays, the Fire Department said.
KTSM captured images of the Patriot Run that was held on Monday, Feb. 17 to honor and recognize Presidents Day. The group of fire trainees ran along Scenic Drive and Rim Road.
This symbolizes 'the deep respect the El Paso Fire Department has for the nation, its veterans, current service members, and the community it serves. The American flag will be prominently displayed during runs on important holidays such as Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, September 11, and Veterans Day, as well as during any occasion that fosters unity and pride within the academy,' the Fire Department said.
The current academy is being led by Lt. Anthony Garcia and Cpt. Travis Reed, both seasoned members of the El Paso Fire Department. They have started this new tradition in the spirit of leaving every assignment 'better than you found it,' the Fire Department said.
Here is part of a statement the Fire Department sent to describe the new Patriot Run tradition:
'Starting with the current class, (#105), this new tradition will be passed on to every subsequent class at the Fire Training Academy, where it will be upheld with respect, integrity, duty, excellence, and the utmost care for the flag. P.R.I.D.E. — which stands for Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Duty, and Excellence — is the cornerstone and Values of the El Paso Fire Training Academy, and its values will continue to be embedded in every future class's experience.
'This meaningful tradition underscores the department's commitment not only to professional development but also to fostering a strong sense of community and respect for the service that first responders provide. It represents the enduring values of the El Paso Fire Training Academy, ensuring that each class leaves a legacy of excellence.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'Black Fourth of July': What is Juneteenth? And how you can celebrate in Palm Beach County
Juneteenth celebrates freedom and African-American heritage. It has grown in recognition and significance across the country, especially since becoming a federal holiday in 2021. Communities use this day to honor resilience, culture, and progress through various events and activities. In Palm Beach County, residents can take part in a range of Juneteenth celebrations, including performances, exhibits and community gatherings. These events provide meaningful opportunities to come together, reflect and celebrate the ongoing journey toward equality and unity. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, marks the day—June 19, 1865—when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. It is celebrated as a symbolic end to slavery in the United States and is often referred to as African American Independence Day. The colors associated with Juneteenth are red, black, green, blue, and white. Red represents the bloodshed and resilience of enslaved people. Black symbolizes the African American community, while green stands for the fertile land of Africa and growth. Blue and white, which appear on the official Juneteenth flag, represent a new beginning and the promise of freedom in the United States. Yes, Juneteenth is a federal holiday. It was officially recognized on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, making June 19 a federal holiday in the United States. Banks and post offices will be closed on June 19 in observance of Juneteenth. However major restaurants, grocery and retail store chains will remain open on the holiday. Palm Beach County is honoring Juneteenth with a variety of events that celebrate freedom, culture, and community. From museum exhibitions to vibrant festivals, there's something for everyone. The Norton Museum of Art will celebrate Juneteenth with a free community day on June 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature live music, dance, spoken word, gallery talks, storytelling, and hands-on art activities celebrating freedom and the African American experience. Admission and parking are free, making it a perfect time for first-time visitors to explore the museum's exhibits and programs. A special drumline performance at 3:45 p.m. will close out the day's festivities with energy and rhythm. Celebrate Juneteenth through art, culture, and community at the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum in Delray Beach. From June 15–19, young adults and adults are invited to take part in a free five-day mural workshop exploring African design and Adinkra symbols while helping create three vibrant mobile murals. The murals will be unveiled on Juneteenth, June 19, and displayed along the museum's fence to honor powerful community stories. Space is limited. Call 561-279-8883 to register. Unity x Black Excellence Festival is scheduled for June 22 from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Meyer Amphitheater, 104 Datura St., West Palm Beach. This vibrant festival celebrates Black excellence with live music, food, vendors and community resources. Attendees are encouraged to wear HBCU paraphernalia. Nearly 100 youth from Belle Glade, Pahokee, and South Bay will take the stage at the fourth annual Glades Youth Talent Explosion on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club in Belle Glade. The free Juneteenth celebration will showcase singers, dancers, and musicians ages 5 to 18 competing for cash prizes and community recognition. The event aims to uplift at-risk youth through mentorship and the arts, with past participants crediting it for life-changing experiences—from academic success to entrepreneurship. Organized by Rev. Willie Lawrence, Veree Jenkins, and Joel Simmons, the showcase is supported by Palm Health Foundation and several local organizations. Diamond Walker is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at dkwalker@ Help support our journalism. Subscribe today This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Juneteenth 2025: Is it a federal holiday? Events in Palm Beach County
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
30 Mass. National Guard troops with historic ties to Revolution marching in DC Army parade
WASHINGTON — Thirty National Guard soldiers from Massachusetts are in Washington this week, marching in Saturday's controversial — and costly — Army parade. They are members of the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, headquartered at the Melrose Armory. They are part of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 42nd Infantry Division, headquartered in Syracuse, N.Y. 'As one of the four oldest units in the U.S. military, soldiers from the 1-182 Infantry were among the Massachusetts militia who first formed the ranks of the Continental Army on Cambridge Common in 1775,' said Lt. Col. Landon Mavrelis, commander, 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, in a statement. The 42nd 'Rainbow' Division is one of the eight Army National Guard divisions in the parade, said Eric Durr, spokesman for the New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs. Eleven of the Army's 19 divisions are participating. The 42nd was created during World War I by taking National Guard units from 26 states and creating a special division that could go quickly to France in the fall of 1917. The division was organized in Garden City, Long Island, and was nicknamed 'The Rainbow Division.' The division's first chief of staff, Douglas MacArthur — who later commanded American forces in World War II — said the division would 'stretch across the country like a rainbow.' 'The legacy forged by Rainbow Division soldiers on battlefields across France marked the 42d ID as one of the premier divisions of the American Expeditionary Force. We are honored to represent our predecessors, and all brave Americans who fought in that conflict 100 years ago,' said Major Gen. Jack James, the commander of the 42nd Infantry Division. James will lead the contingent along with a color guard. Another 30 soldiers from the 42nd Infantry Division Band, headquartered at the Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill, New York, also will march. The parade officially commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Army's founding in 1775. But the date Saturday also coincides with President Donald Trump's birthday, raising questions about the appropriateness of soldiers participating in what could be a political event. The parade is expected to cost $45 million. The Massachusetts soldiers left for Washington, D.C., on Wednesday and will return Sunday, according to the New York Guard. According to a statement from New York State, soldiers will be housed in an empty Department of Agriculture office building and an unused General Services Administration warehouse, just as they were for the inauguration. The soldiers will receive meals ready-to-eat, or MREs, for breakfast and lunch, and a hot meal for dinner along with per-diem of about $69. The cost is being picked up by the Army. Getting the construction industry 'Sublime ready' with or without the federal government With a makeover, Uncle Sam rises again for East Longmeadow's 4th of July Bankruptcy protection ends for ESG Clean Energy, Holyoke generating plant linked to Scuderi engine Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Vandalism at Langley Pond Park causes limited availability for bathroom facilities
AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF) – Aiken County Parks and Recreation announced the Langley Pond Park bathroom facilities will now operate under limited hours due to 'continued vandalism.' In a statement posted to the county government Facebook page on Friday, officials state the bathrooms will only be open when park staff are on site. According to the department, staff are typically on site Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and seven days a week from the Memorial Day to Labor Day season. Aiken County Parks and Recreation apologized for the inconvenience. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
