By Chandra Madafferi, President and CEO of the Michigan Education Association

From public school educators and police officers to firefighters and those serving in our military, it’s important that we honor these hardworking public servants and their dedication to improving the lives of others.

Public school teachers, school support staff and other educators devote their careers to serving the public, working with the students who will lead our state and nation to a stronger future.

Commitment to helping others is what draws people into the education field. It’s also what compels talented educators to stay in the profession they love.

A case study in commitment is the hallmark of Jim McCloughan’s story.

Service to others is what drove him to become an educator and coach. His college wrestling coach told him he would make a good teacher, and McCloughan took that advice to heart to shape his future. He completed a student teaching program, earned his bachelor’s degree and signed a contract with South Haven Public Schools in May of 1968.

That summer of ‘68, McCloughan spent a few months coaching wrestling and preparing to begin his new career. Then everything changed. He received a draft notice, and by September, he was off to basic training on the way to fight in Vietnam.

On May 13, 1969, Private First Class McCloughan was serving as a combat medic near Tam Kỳ when two American helicopters were downed nearby. Despite being outnumbered and under heavy assault, McCloughan sprinted over 100 yards through an open field to reach the downed helicopter, came across a severely wounded soldier, threw him over his shoulder and dodged enemy fire all the way to relative safety.

Over the next few days, McCloughan would be wounded repeatedly by gunshot and shrapnel while saving the lives of other American soldiers and engaging enemy troops. He was among the 43 wounded men out of 89 total in his company.

While 14 Americans were ultimately killed in the battle, McCloughan’s actions saved the lives of 10 U.S. soldiers and a Vietnamese interpreter. He was awarded two Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts, and — after 48 years and lots of heavy lifting by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle — the nation’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor.

After his tour in Vietnam, McCloughan returned to South Haven. He started up his teaching career in earnest with a new mission: to build students up and “give them tools to make good decisions,” knowing that each of them would need these skills to navigate life’s seemingly insurmountable challenges and tragedies.

For nearly 40 years, McCloughan taught psychology and sociology at South Haven High School, while also coaching and officiating. Along the way, he touched countless lives in his community across several generations of students and parents.

Even now, at 79, McCloughan crisscrosses the nation in his role as one of 61 living Medal of Honor recipients, imparting life lessons to students, veterans groups, civic organizations and others.

Through his heroic service in Vietnam, Jim McCloughan earned the respect and gratitude of our entire nation. By serving as a public school educator for so many years, he earned the respect and gratitude of the South Haven community.

There are people like McCloughan (although with fewer battle scars) serving the public in communities throughout Michigan. In our schools, it’s likely that you or someone you love has encountered an educator who made a positive and lasting difference.

As we start a new year, let’s honor public servants of all stripes — from combat paratroopers to school paraprofessionals — and thank them for their service to others.

Labor Voices

Labor Voices columns are written on a rotating basis by United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain, Michigan Education Association President Chandra Madafferi, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights Executive Secretary-Treasurer Tom Lutz and selected Service Employees International Union members.

(Posted as submitted to Detroit News)