Thank You Fallen Axes Participants & Sponsors

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76 motorcycles, 6 automobiles, and the city of Chicago’s Fire Academy Ladder Truck participated in the ‘Fallen Axes Run’. Escorted out-of-town by the Homewood Fire Department’s Ambulance, a Homewood Police motorcycle and two Illinois State Police motorcycles. The ride started at approximately 11:40 am, as participants pulled through the Homewood Fire Station’s bay out onto Dixie Highway. They were cheered by gathered onlookers consisting of Village employees, citizens, and school children from St. Joseph’s School, located immediately across the street from the Firehouse!

The escorting Homewood Police Officer stayed with the crew to the Wilmington, IL City limits and the State Police continued the escort on to Bloomington, IL. Along the way various police and fire agencies that had heard of the run, met at various intervals to show their support. With 95 miles under belt, participants arrived in Chenoa, IL for a fuel stop.  There fellow brothers traveling in the Chicago Fire Academy Ladder  Truck, had to leave and travel the rest of the way by expressway, as they had to arrive in time to clean up the truck and get it positioned inside the Prairie Convention Center for the next day’s ceremonies. Then it was just 27 miles to Bloomington IL. As the crew hit the Normal, IL City limits, they were met by two awaiting fire apparatus that filed in the front and the rear of the procession, and escorted the run lights and siren blaring, to our rest stop at the Bloomington Fire Station #6. There participants were met by the on-duty shift with warm greetings and cold drinks! A Fox television reporter and camera crew were also on hand to video the arrival and made several interviews.

The last leg of the journey was a 70 mile stretch to Springfield, IL and the Firefighters Lake Club for an evening of food, drink, and camaraderie. There participants joined by many others, Families and Firefighters alike, who were in town for the next day’s somber events. Arriving at approximately 5:45 pm and toasting our Fallen Brothers well into the night.

520 commemorative t-shirts were purchased in advance and 420 were sold! Another testament to the Brotherhood. The runs proceeds will go to the Ride for Boo/Brian Carey Memorial fund that facilitates donations to charities and organizations, to aid firefighters and their families in times of great tragedy, and to fund a scholarship in Brian’s memory.

As the newt please stay tuned for more info, pictures, and stories.  The biggest thing that can be said to all that participated and the sponsors that support the run is….

Here’s a round-up of the various news articles about the event