By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Five members of Dowagiac Fire Department representing 105 years of service to the city were saluted Monday night by City Council.
Terry Dodd led the way with 30 years, followed by Chief Harold Munson and Assistant Chief Dale Hutchings, 25 years each; Lt. Mike Mattix, 15 years; and Lt. Guy Evans, 10 years.
Ben Turner received from Mayor Donald Lyons the jacket emblematic of his honor announced previously at Wolverine Mutual Insurance Co.'s annual dinner for the department, 2004 Firefighter of the Year.
Turner has been an active member of the department since 2002.
He has become state-certified as a Fire Fighter II, as well as in hazardous materials responder operations, confined space rescue, vehicle rescue/extrications and ice/cold water rescue and is working on becoming a state-certified fire instructor.
Turner further demonstrated his dedication by coming in on his own time and assisting the duty officer with truck checks to become a better firefighter.
Dowagiac Fire Department greatly appreciates the support of Ben's family - his wife, Nicole, also a Dowagiac firefighter - their sons, Patrick Danny, Jacob and Jamie, and daughter, Mateja.
Turner, who is employed fulltime at McDonald's in Bridgman, enjoys golf and working on his house.
Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Comstock, who organizes the fire department dinner for Wolverine, commented, "I'm very pleased to be associated with you … I don't think people realize how dedicated you are and how many years you have in."