South Haven Firefighters Memorialized for Service
Five now deceased South Haven firefighters who served the community a combined 118 years were honored on Sept. 17 when their names are added to the Memorial Wall of the Michigan State Firemen’s Association in Roscommon.
Every year on the third Saturday in September, firefighters from across the state and their families gather to remember the brave men and women of the Michigan Fire Service. The centerpiece of the site is a 12-foot bronze firefighter statue depicting a firefighter carrying a child to safety. A memorial wall allows firefighters to be remembered for their years of service.
The local firefighters being honored, their years of service and the departments they served are Edward W. Bierhalter, 22 years, South Haven Fire Department (SHFD); David L. Henry, 36 years, SHFD and South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES); Thomas E. Leva, 25 years, SHFD and SHAES; Jack C. McCloughan, 16 years, SHFD; and Patricia A. Quinn, 19 years, Covert Fire Dept. and SHAES.
“Service to our community has always been of utmost importance for our members, past and present,” said SHAES Executive Director Brandon Hinz. “I was privileged to know all of the members added to The Wall this year, extremely privileged to serve with some. All of those years of service represent many sleepless nights, early mornings, missed dinners, missed holidays. Honoring these members is a small token of our appreciation for their service.”