by ARI PAUL
Christopher Hrbek had deferred his Firefighter training twice after being called for overseas combat duty with the Marines. He served three tours in Iraq, and a final one in Afghanistan, where, as a Marine Sergeant, he was killed in an explosion in Helmand Province Jan. 14 at the age of 25.
In addition to being awarded the Purple Heart, he was appointed an honorary Firefighter March 2 during a ceremony at FDNY headquarters.
"Marine Sergeant Christopher Hrbek always dreamed of being a firefighter, but was called to serve his nation before he could serve this city," Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano said. "He went above and beyond in answering that call. It is rare to see that level of devotion in anyone, never mind someone so young, who had already sacrificed so much."
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