LANSING — State Rep. Henry Yanez (D-Sterling Heights) introduced House Bill 4692 today to rename a portion of M-53 in Sterling Heights, between 14 Mile Road and M-59, the Eric C. Post Memorial Highway. Post was a sergeant major in the Michigan Army National Guard and a 14-year veteran of the Sterling Heights Fire Department, serving as a firefighter and paramedic.

“Eric’s family, friends and colleagues all honored his service to his community and country this week as we celebrated Memorial Day, and I believe we should pay further tribute to him by renaming this stretch of highway in his honor,” said Yanez. “This is a fitting way to show our love for Eric and appreciation for the sacrifices he made as a member of the National Guard and the Sterling Heights Fire Department.”  

Post served in Kosovo in 2003 and Afghanistan in 2007. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Afghanistan. In 2005, he was deployed to New Orleans to help with the relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina. Post passed away in 2014 at the age of 43 after a long bout with cancer, which he developed while serving in Kosovo. He is survived by his wife Amanda, one son and three daughters.

“Eric was a public servant in the truest sense because when his community or his country needed him he responded,” said Yanez. “I had the privilege of working with him as a firefighter, so I know how hard he worked and how much he loved serving the people of Sterling Heights. I have no doubt that the National Guard members he served with would say the same about him. By naming this highway after him, we will honor Eric’s service and also share his story with our young people and give them an example of how they, too, can live a good life honoring their family, community and country.”