The local Woodmen of the World Family Fraternity hosted a ceremony to rededicate the flag at the Main Station of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department on King Ridge Road, and presented a "Flag of Honor" to the department on Thursday.

Field Representative Regina Wilhite for Woodmen of the World and local President Wanda Poss presented the flag in honor and remembrance of the heroes and victims in the fight against terrorism and to celebrate the enduring spirit of all Americans.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 347 lead the Pledge of Allegiance and then helped retire the old flag and raised a new one to half-staff in remembrance of the 9/11 victims.

A framed American flag created from the names of the victims of 9/11 and the World Trade Center bombing in 1993 was presented to the fire department

County Mayor Tim Stribling and Executive Director Suzanne Williams of the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce presented the "Extra Miler" Award for going the extra mile in making a difference to the Fire Department. The department has more than 70 volunteers and ranks number three in the state for training hours and number of volunteers.

Woodmen of the World has been dedicating flagpoles across the country since 2002 and presenting flags not only to honor the heroes and victims but to remember the men and women of our armed forces serving in combat and in addition to these ceremonies pay tribute to our men and women right here in this community who serve and protect us every day.

Woodmen of the World is one of the largest distributors of U.S. flags. More than 2 million American flags have been presented to worthy non-profit and community organizations. Woodmen of the World celebrates and honors the American flag throughout the year.

Out of the ashes of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks of 2001, Woodmen of the World members rise each year to organize In Honor and Remembrance ceremonies which honor the heroes and victims of those attacks, as well as local community heroes and volunteers.