Work is underway on the restoration of the Firefighters Memorial in downtown South Haven.
The firefighter’s memorial at the entrance to downtown South Haven was placed 23 years ago. In that time, the 800-pound, hand-crafted, black granite-topped monument has been a reminder of the service provided by those in the Fire Service. South Haven Area Emergency Services Executive (SHAES) Director Brandon Hinz says unfortunately, over two-plus decades, weather has taken a toll.
“Freeze and thaw cycles, water, wind, rain, ice has started infiltrating some of the mortar and started cracking it up.”
Even members of the public noticed the developing issues and so Hinz and his colleagues reached out for help. They worked with the city for a five-hour road closure so the repairs could be made safely on-site. Lakefront Roofing’s new mason started on the repairs but had to pause due to the rain Tuesday. Hinz says the job is nearly complete.
“It looks good so far. We need to retouch the lettering on the monument for the Firefighter’s Prayer that’s faded on the west side of the monument — I’m assuming from the sun hitting it.”
Hinz says the job should be done within a week. The cost of the repairs was covered by private donations and proceeds from the SHAES pancake breakfasts.
