Members of the Adams Area Fire District carried on a long-standing custom of paying tribute to former life members on May 20th in advance of Memorial Day.

According to officials, crews visited 13 cemeteries in the Mars region, erecting service flags and bronze memorials at the graves of 225 former members of the Valencia Volunteer Fire Company and the previous Mars Volunteer Fire Company. Longtime Assistant Chief "Butch" Leonberg started the custom, which is carried out annually to honor people who have devoted their life to the community and fire service.

Assistant Chief Butch Leonberg, line officer Russ McCandless, Fire Chief and former Mars Mayor Lester Kennedy, Company President Charles Marburger, and Company Warden and former Mars Police Chief Dave Coon were among the former leaders honored by the department.