Every year on the third Saturday in September, firefighters from across the state and their families come together to honor the memory the fallen men and women of the Michigan Fire Service. At the foot of the memorial wall is a 12-foot bronze statue of a firefighter carrying a child to safety.

“Service to our community has always been of utmost importance for our members, past and present,” said South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) Executive Director Brandon Hinz. “The years of dedicated service by Emil and Stan represent many sleepless nights, early mornings, missed dinners, interrupted holidays. Honoring them is a small token of our appreciation for their commitment to South Haven.”

Wessling served 38 years of firefighting and EMT service, first with the Casco Fire Department and then as a paid-on-call Lieutenant with South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES). He passed in 2010 at the age of 58.

Wakild was part of the fire service for over a span of six decades. He joined the South Haven Fire Department, later SHAES, in 1965, was promoted to Lieutenant in 1978 and served as Chief beginning in 1989 until his retirement in 1993. He continued to serve as a paid-on-call member. He died in 2020 at the age of 77.