In accordance with Public Law 107-51, all flags shall be flown half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Sunday, Oct. 6, in observance of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. Virgin Islands firefighter Dwayne “Yogi” Thomas is one of 119 firefighters who died in the line of duty and are being honored at this year’s 38th Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service on Sunday morning at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md.
Thomas, 57, served 25 years with the V.I. Fire Service. He died after driving a fire truck to the scene of a fire in January 2018 at Marley Homes on St. Croix. All American flags being flown in the territory on Oct. 6 should be properly raised and lowered immediately to half-staff and flown from sunrise until sunset. All flags being flown outdoors must be lowered at the end of the day – sunset – unless the flagpoles are properly lit at night.
Additionally, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. has issued a proclamation declaring Oct. 6-12, 2019, as Fire Prevention Week in the territory. This year’s recognition, which has the theme: “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape,” is commemorated nationally; locally Fire Prevention Week is in honor of the V.I. Fire Service.
