SERVPRO pays tribute to its employees who served and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

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Submitted by Melinda Lockwood of SERVPRO.

SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington and Cadillac has had the privilege of employing exceptional people. Employees who work extremely hard to provide for their families and allowing SERVPRO to maintain our highly recommended reputation. Among them are David Gancarz, Marc Pirtle and Phillip Wicinski. These three men, to most people, just look like your everyday people walking down the street but us here at SERVPRO, they are heroes.

Phillip Wicinski has been with SERVPRO for just over 2 ½ years. Working as a recon carpenter, Phillip works mainly out of our Manistee location. Born in Muskegon, Phillip re-located to Manistee in 1976, where he remains today. In 1988, Phillip made the brave choice to join the Navy. Phillip served for quite some time before marrying his beautiful wife, Stacy. Together, they have two sons, Zachary and Jakob and in March of 2016, Phillip and Stacy welcomed their first grandchild, Carter. Phillip has always had a place in his heart for helping people, stating that his favorite part of working for SERVPRO was “Helping people in their time of despair and need.”

Marc Pirtle has been with SERVPRO for almost a year. Even though Marc is new to SERVPRO, where he works as a mitigation/ recon technician, where he works mainly in the Cadillac area. Marc does not lack in his knowledge in the field. Having over 20 years experience in the paint and construction industry and owning his own painting business along with two retail businesses, Marc has exceptional customer service that he employs every day with SERVPRO customers. Marc spent eight years in environmental monitoring and equipment installation but among his biggest accomplishments were the 15 years that he served in the Army in the 312 Armed Cavalry Regiment. Although Marc has now settled down and started a family of his own, he will never forget the men and women that he has met and the places he has been. He stands tall and very proud to say he served.

Finally, David Gancarz has been with SERVPRO for just over one year working as a crew chief. David was born and raised here in Mason County and is a Free Soil High School graduate. He and his wife, Mandy, have three beautiful daughters and now reside in Custer. After graduating from high school, David made the choice to join the Army where he proudly served for four years. While in the Army, David was decorated with many badges and medals, but among them is one that he holds very close. While serving, David was struck by a roadside bomb while on deployment. Due to that incident, David received the purple heart. David is very proud of the time he served. He says he feels as though every day is a gift and life is gift and knows just how fragile both are. David lives by making the most of everyday and giving as much time as he can to his family.

Memorial Day, originally known as Declaration Day following the Civil War, was made into a nationally observed holiday in 1971. The day is to honor the men and women who paid the ultimate price fighting for our freedom. To most of us, Memorial Day is a day off to relax with the family, have a barbecue and enjoy the sunshine, but like David, Phillip and Marc have experienced first-hand, the reality that freedom isn’t free is all too real. This Memorial Day let’s remember the true reason this holiday was instilled as a national holiday and shake a hand to those who gave some and pay your respects to those who gave all.

From all of us at SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington and Cadillac, thank you to all of the men and women who have or are currently fighting for our country and a special thank you to the families who are away from their loved ones serving proudly as a representation of them. We salute you. Please have a safe and happy Memorial Day. God Bless.