Family tradition comes in all variations, but for one Fredonia family it begins at the Fredonia Fire Department.

Four generations of women in the Patterson family are members of the Fredonia Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. They are Edie Patterson, 87, Jo Benninghoff, 62, Deb Birkner, 39, and Krista Birkner, 17. Mrs. Benninghoff's husband George is the borough's fire chief.

The four woman are among 20 active members of the auxiliary, who bought 300 American flag bows for Memorial Day and distributed them to residents and businesses in the borough. They also helped to display them at the community park, post office and fire station.