Sheffield Lake Salutes Veterans
Monday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day when America recognizes the men and women who have stepped forward to serve thereby ensuring our safety and preservation as a free country. According to 2018-2022 U.S. Census data, 490 veterans reside in Sheffield Lake.
The city is proud to have employees who are military veterans.
Fire Department
Lt. Wes Mariner – U.S. Marine Corps
Police Department
Ofcr. Antonio Baez – U.S. Marine Corps/Army Reserves
Dispatcher Sara Baker – U.S. Army
Ofcr. Roger Watkins – U.S. Air Force
Sgt. Frank Goscewski – U.S. Coast Guard
Trust and respect learned serving in the military applied to work as a firefighter/paramedic
Fire Lieutenant Wes Mariner knew from the time he was five years old that he wanted to be a firefighter. His South Amherst hometown had an all volunteer department and when the old siren sounded, “I remember everybody – baseball coaches and other dads in the neighborhood – seeing them all run and then seeing them on the trucks. I always had a fascination with it.”
He enlisted in the Marine Corps after graduating from Firelands High School believing he’d gain experience as a firefighter during his time in the service and knowing the GI Bill would get him additional training as a firefighter/paramedic. He was right because he was sent to to Kuwait, and Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, where he was assigned to crash fire rescue. In civilian terms, it means he traveled in a convoy of fire engines about one mile behind forward forces working on battle damaged equipment. Once U.S forces entered Iraq, he helped set up forward operating bases.
At age 19, Mariner became a section leader responsible for eight Marines and $1 million in equipment.
“It’s a dangerous line of work but I had no problem accepting responsibility and the potential liability associated with it. In the military, you gotta trust the guys above you, working with you and beneath you. It requires respect for the job and people who do the work, something I’ve tried to bring over to the fire service.”
From Air Force to Officer
This is the career field I always aspired to join. When I was 15 or 16 years old, I applied for one of the City of Lorain’s summer jobs and ended up working as a janitor in the Police Station and City Hall. I got to know quite a few officers during that time and got to see what they did, and I was hooked. I really enjoyed seeing the comradery and sense of “team” between the officers.
-I joined the Air Force as a Security Policeman in November of 1987, primarily to give me some experience in law enforcement.
-I signed up for a six-year enlistment, splitting my time between Lakenheath AFB in England and Malmstrom AFB in Montana.
-Law Enforcement has changed quite a bit since I was hired by the Lorain Police Department in 1997. This is definitely more of a profession than a job. The level of education among officers has dramatically improved, with at least two of my co-workers completing their PH’d’s. Additionally the amount of training we’re expected to complete has greatly increased. I have definitely seen this pay dividends in the communities I have served.