For more than 62 years, the Hasse family has been rescuing people from all walks of life whether they have found themselves stranded by the side of the road or in the middle of an interstate pileup during a raging blizzard. For 30 of those years, they’ve also helped businesses achieve new heights through the addition of their amazing crane service. The familiar red, white and blue of the Hasse’s Towing & Crane Service fleet also reflects the inspiration of a patriotic family that started a new tradition over the past several years — arranging for the display of two massive American flags along I-94 in Benton Charter Township over the Independence Day Holiday. 
Steve Hasse sums up the reason for the annual display of American pride along that major route, the busiest road in the entire region, saying, “We believe in America, and our flag is the honored symbol of our country. We fly these flags because we’re proud to be Americans. Say thank you to a Veteran, and celebrate our freedoms like a patriot!”
Hasse’s annual display has become an inspiration to all who see it, consisting of two major American flags flanking the interstate — one on each side — in the vicinity of Celebration! Cinema on one side and the Ryder Truck Rental lot on the other. The flags are presented, suspended from on high by two of Hasse’s largest cranes, towering over the highway.
Hasse’s Towing & Crane Service has flown the flags over the 4th of July Holiday in Michigan’s Great Southwest for several years, and has received comments and thank yous from far and wide, including truckers & travelers who know Steve from his active towing business.
Hasse’s has been in business since 1959, started by brothers Butch and Richard Hasse as a Standard Oil station. They soon added towing to expand their service, and in fact, their first new tow truck was purchased as a cab and chassis, onto which they built their own tow body right in their own service station on Pipestone.
The crane service element of the business was added in 1982, and hundreds have seen Hasse cranes lifting heavy HVAC units onto business rooftops, or steel beams and trusses placed into new buildings under construction.
Steve Hasse literally grew up in the business, and carries on the family name and purpose today, along with his son Lee Hasse. The flag display is understandable considering not only their patriotism and pride, but the fact they’ve become known through the years as the towing company “with the trucks of red, white and blue.”
Steve and his family and crew, have taken the time each year in recent years to arrange for the display for everyone to enjoy, and he is thankful to the team at Celebration! Cinema and Ryder Truck Rental for their participation, as well as the crew at Beaudoin Electric, which provides lighting for the flags all through the night each night of the display.
As you drive along I-94 over the 4th of July Holiday period, the Hasse family hopes you enjoy the huge flags, and that they inspire you to fly your own flag at home to honor America as we mark the Independence Day holiday.
