COEUR d'ALENE - Sarah Hoston offered a single word to describe her feelings as she eyed the Service Star flag flying outside the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department headquarters on Wednesday in honor of her husband.

"Unbelievable."

She paused for a moment, then said, "We have our family, then we have our firefighter family. They've been absolutely amazing while he's been gone."

But now, Joshua "Hoss" Hoston is home.

The four-year Coeur d'Alene firefighter and 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army returned Sunday after serving eight months in Iraq. Because he'll return for another tour of duty in a few weeks, the Service Star flag was raised - and it will stay there until he comes home again.

The 30-year-old Hoston beamed with pride, his wife at his side and 8-month-old daughter Folasade in his arms, as the flag rose.

The ceremony, watched by about 50 firefighters, police and city staff and officials, made him realize his family and his firefighter family, as well as police, have a strong bond."These guys, they don't forget about me, and that means a lot. They don't forget about my wife and kid."

Coeur d'Alene Fire Chief Kenny Gabriel said the Service Star flag was first unofficially used during War World I, and has rarely been used since World War II.

The flag is white with a red border and one or more blue stars in the center: one star for each family member serving in the military during times of war or hostility.

Gabriel said family members and organizations affiliated with U.S. military members are beginning to display Service Flags again as a show of support.

"We are all family, and part of our family is in harm's way right now," Gabriel said.

"Those flags aren't coming down until they're home safe," he said.

Hoston will return soon for another three and a half month tour of duty. While he misses his family, he has no regrets.

"My time came up to serve and I do it gladly," he said.

His wife said it's wonderful having him home again.

"I sleep. I don't worry about him now," she said as she looked at her husband. "It's really amazing."