DUKE CENTER — It’s all about service.

Sgt. Isaac Schuessler recently came back from Iraq, and brought with him a memento to mark the dedication and service to the community provided by the volunteers in the Otto Township Volunteer Fire Department.

An American flag.

Not just any American flag, but one flown on a combat mission over Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve aboard an MQ-1C Gray Eagle Unmanned Aerial Vehicle operated by Schuessler during a recent deployment. He presented that flag to the fire department last week, giving it to Jake Sirline, president of the board.

Schuessler serves with the 10th Mountain Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Drum and accumulated 860 flight hours during his deployment in Iraq. An Otto-Eldred High School alumni, Schuessler presented the flag in appreciation and recognition of OTFD members.

Sirline was appreciative, and expressed gratitude for the members of the fire department who volunteer to serve in their communities.

He’s developed lifelong friendships through the fire department, he said, adding, “I can go home at the end of the day feeling good about helping people.”

He expressed the importance of supporting local fire departments and encouraged people to get involved whenever they can.

“There’s a misconception that you have to work a specific number of hours, but people can volunteer time whenever they’re available,” Sirline said. OTFD is fully volunteer and a non-profit organization located on Sweitzer Drive in Duke Center.

Sirline or Fire Chief Chris Schwab Sirline would welcome an opportunity to speak with community members who are interested in learning more about how they can receive free firefighter training or learning about ways to become involved in helping serve their community. For more information about upcoming OTFD events, check out their Facebook page.