KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — The Yeakley family of Lindale, Texas, will have a very special Thanksgiving. Lindale Firefighter Joe Yeakley, who was injured in a January fire, returned home to a hero’s welcome on Wednesday, November 26, 2014.
KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — The Yeakley family of Lindale, Texas, will have a very special Thanksgiving. Lindale Firefighter Joe Yeakley, who was injured in a January fire, returned home to a hero’s welcome on Wednesday, November 26, 2014.
His journey began on January 16, 2014, while fighting a structure fire. The building partially collapsed — trapping Yeakley who was severely burned. After spending some time in Parkland Memorial Hospital’s intensive care unit, Yeakley was transferred to Zale Lipshy University Hospital for months of rehab.
Yeakley was cleared to go home where he will continue rehab.
Yeakley has a special place in Kaufman County, having previously served as the chief of the Kemp Volunteer Fire Department.
Members of the Forney Fire Department and the Terrell Fire Department were lined up along Yeakley’s route from Dallas back home to Lindale on Wednesday. Just outside of Lindale, Yeakley loaded up in Lindale’s Engine 1 for a procession and welcome home parade in his honor.
“Thank you so much to everyone who has been praying for our family,” Yeakley’s daughter Nicole Cornish stated on Facebook. “Even though dad is coming home, his journey is not over and we hope you will continue to pray for him.”
On Thanksgiving, East Texans will have a lot more to be thankful for — a hero returned home.
