Tea firefighters join vigil for fallen comrade

People all over the country have answered the call put out by the Last Alarm nonprofit ("Lights On for Firefighter Steven Ackerman" Facebook page), which asks everyone to leave their porch lights on through this Sunday in memory of fallen Valley Springs volunteer firefighter Steven Ackerman. Ackerman died Sunday, April 12 during a call at a residential fire in Brandon, where homeowner David Smith also perished.

Area firefighters arranged a 24-hour vigil to stand guard for Ackerman at George Boom Funeral Home. Members of the Tea Fire Department participated in the vigil.

Ackerman's funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 19 at the Brandon Valley High School Gymnasium in Brandon, SD with burial at Pleasant View Cemetery, Valley Springs. Visitation begins at 12 noon on Saturday, April 18 at George Boom Funeral Chapel in Brandon, where the family will greet friends from noon to 5:00 p.m. The full obituary is available at www.georgeboom.com.