(WXYZ) — The Sterling Heights Fire Department returned an American flag to the family of a woman who died in a house fire in Sterling Heights on April 2.
"Dad would have wanted us to have that," said John Nowak, the son of 93-year-old Marcella Nowak who was killed in the fire.
"I'm sure it hurt them too," said Tom Nowak about the firefighters that fought to save their mother.
In the course of rescue efforts, firefighter Lance Stevens noticed that the flag flying at the residence was in danger of being damaged and was already covered in soot.
Stevens removed the flag from the pole and placed it in his coat.
Back at the station, firefighter Brad Bachor cleaned and dried the flag.
When the family was contacted, the fire department said it became clear that the flag was a very important symbol to the family.
Marcella apparently flew that flag every day in memory of her late husband and all the other in her family that served the United States in war. Her husband, John Nowak, joined the United State Army and served in World War II with the 100 Infantry in Germany from 1944-45.
John met Marcella and they were married for 49 years until John died in 1996. They stayed in that Sterling Heights home since 1970.
John and Marcella each had brothers that served in the United States Armed Forces. And their two sons continued the legacy of serving their country.
"You know, everyday I get to see the things that these guys do and it just give me a lot of pride to see how they accomplish the tasks that they do and go above and beyond everyday," said Sterling Heights Fire Chief Chris Martin.
And that the American Flag symbolizes valor, vigilance, and perseverance is not lost on Firefighter Lance Stevens.
"My father, my grandfather, and myself were all in the Army," he told 7 Action News.
Click on the video to watch Kimberly Craig's report.
