The Adams Area Fire District, in carrying forth a tradition started many decades ago by our parent fire companies in Mars and Valencia, take special pride in remembering our Life Members. Life Members are those individuals who serve a minimum of 25 years in an active or support role. In many cases, Life Members continue serving their entire adult life. When they pass, the Department maintains a bronze marker at their gravesite, and places a fresh fire service memorial flag prior to Memorial Day each year.

Recently, AAFD junior brigade member Daniel Nickl undertook a project to further memorialize Life Members interred at the Mars Cemetery. Being centrally located in the Fire District’s territory, a large number are interred there. In what started as Scouting community service project, Daniel, helped by friends Sam Everson and Ian Messina, as well as family, installed a sign at the entranceway to Mars Cemetery. It lists the Life Members of AAFD, and our predecessor companies of Mars and Valencia. Additionally, Life Members of Callery, Cranberry Township, Evans City and Middlesex Township Volunteer Fire Companies, who share final resting places in the Mars Cemetery are also acknowledged.

Daniel is a third generation member associated with AAFD; his lineage traces back through the former Mars VFC. His family lineage who have served, or serve today, include his father, grandfather, and uncles.