The Palmerton Fire Department is showing its patriotism and firefighter pride with a project spearheaded by safety officer Brian Rehrig.

Rehrig likes to do a project every year during the winter months. Last year he restored an antique airport dry chemical portable wheeled fire extinguisher. This year he found the project he wanted to tackle on the Internet, a large American flag made from used fire hoses.The department recently replaced its older 3-inch hoses for safety reasons, some of which had been in service since 1966. Thirteen sections of hose, two with old brass connectors, were fastened to a 5-by-8-foot board and painted to make an American flag.Rehrig, who retired as a master sergeant after 24 years in the Army National Guard, was helped by other members of the department, including Rob Sell, Capt. Mike Kercsmar, Kyle Behler and Lt. Gerald "Elvis" Alfano.The completed flag will hang in the station's garage bay at Fifth and Lehigh streets in the borough.