The Chicago Fire Department (CFD) held a Military Award Ceremony today honoring Chicago Firefighters and Paramedics who have been deployed and served in the Armed Forces. Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Raymond Orozco was joined by 11th Ward Alderman James Balcer, 14th Ward Alderman Ed Burke, and 29th Ward Alderman Isaac Carothers. Representatives from the Armed Forces, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Benz, the United States Air Force; Lieutenant Colonel Jack Amberg, United States Army; Lieutenant Commander Kiley Ross, United Sates Coast Guard; Major Lance Jackola, United States Marine Corps; Commander David Klain from the United States Navy were in attendance. The twenty-eight members honored today have served in the Military while also serving the residents of the City of Chicago as Firefighters or Paramedics. "This type of ceremony is long overdue, today is a very special day and the start of a tradition we will honor each year," said Fire Commissioner Orozco. Listed below are the members honored and their Military Service branch: UNITED STATES AIR FORCE Gregory L. Boggs John P. Joyce Michael J. Klem UNITED STATES ARMY Cesar A. Blanco Cesar Cabral Frank M. Candela Thomas J. Dati Kevin E. Drozd Lawrence S. Kane Christopher K. Koster Gregory J. Lee James M. Malacina Kevin A. Rowe Lorenzo Vazquez UNITED STATES COAST GUARD James W. Fitzgerald Steven R. Kendrick Thomas P. Lally UNITED STATES NAVY Alicia P. Brown Charles C. Durham James E. Kehoe Mark Kovacevich Michael W. Vasko UNITED STATES MARINE CORP Lon C. Cogley Patrick M. Maloney Kevin B. O’Malley Jose A. Santiago NATIONAL GUARD James A. Caplick Joseph C. Vidinic Each honored member received a ribbon bar that represents the colors of the flag and are to be worn with pride, in the highest traditions of the Chicago Fire Department. The Chicago Fire Department currently has three active members serving in Iraq, among the 45 members on active duty.