Station 44 Video

Member's E-mail

Operation Iraqi Freedom Soldier Visits Springfield Firefighters to Say Thank You

Springfield Fire Company had a very special visitor on Saturday, May 22nd at the firehouse.  Captain Michael McIntyre from the 494th Military Police Detachment (BLD), Terre Haute, Indiana visited the firehouse to offer a special thank you for the support that the members of Springfield Fire Company showed during their recent deployment to Iraq.  Also on hand to welcome Captain McIntyre to Springfield were Sixth District Commissioner James Devenney and Dave Pawlewicz , from Century Link America's World Flag Tour "Old Glory Travels America's Freedom Road".

Assistant Engineer John Fox started corresponding with Captain McIntyre after learning of his deployment through Captain McIntyre's mother, Mary.  Mary McIntyre, a resident in Delaware County,  is a work associate of Assistant Engineer Fox and she was pleased to hear of the support that her son and his Detachment were receiving from the Springfield Fire Company.

Captain McIntyre had a special flag made for Springfield Fire Company and also had an American flag that was flown over numerous sites in Kuwait and Iraq during their deployment.

The 494th Military Police Detachment were sent numerous care packages during their deployment.  One of the specialties of the care package was the Philadelphia flavor inside, Tastykakes!!  Captain McIntyre said that all Philadelphia area soldiers he met while deployed in Iraq were pleased to see the treat while operating so far from home.

Captain McIntyre and his family visited the firehouse to say thank you and also get an up close tour of the firehouse and equipment.  Captain McIntyre also presented the American Flag, the Iraq Flag embroidered with the Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment dates and a special thank you to Springfield Fire Company.  Captain McIntyre also presented the Company with other special items from his service in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Captain McIntyre also participated in the World Flag Tour ""Old Glory Travels America's Freedom Road" while at the firehouse.

Springfield Fire Company would like to thank Captain McIntyre and the entire 494th Military Police Detachment for their dedicated service to our country.  We were honored to be a part of helping these fine men and women through their difficult operation and were proud to see them all return home safely.  They now have a place to call home when visiting in Springfield Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

494th Military Police Detachment:  Standing Left to Right:  CPT Michael McIntyre, CPT David Seiter, SSG Rodney Eubank, CPT Brent Nehls, CPT Errol Huffman, MAJ Andrew Wright, MSG Don Bowen, CPT Brent Stoelting.  Kneeling Left to Right:  SPC Miranda Gabbard, CPL Shawn Lyon, SPC Candice Madison.