Thousands Will Gather To Remember A Firefighter Hero
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- He lost his life doing what he loved. It's been almost four months since Baltimore County volunteer firefighter Mark Falkenhan died in the line of duty.
Ron Matz reports Friday night a community will come together to remember Falkenhan and help his family.
Falkenhan died Jan. 19 in an apartment fire in Hillendale during a search and rescue. His partner that fateful night was fellow volunteer Dennis Fulton.
"Mark was a fellow that was so nice you can hardly imagine. He came in with a smile on his face all the time, very giving. He spent a lot of time doing training with not only us, but with other companies," said Fulton. "He started out at Middle River. He became a chief over there, had been in the county fire department for 16 years. When he left the fire department to go work for the Secret Service and do some medical training for them he still wanted to participate and that's when he joined Lutherville."
The Baltimore County Fallen Firefighters Foundation and many others will remember Falkenhan Friday night. There will be a bull and oyster roast featuring a silent auction at the Towson Center.
"Friday night will be tremendous. It will really be the capstone fundraiser of the year. The Baltimore County Fire Service in the county, state and nation has really rallied around the loss of Mark Falkenhan," said Michael Robinson, Baltimore County Fallen Firefighters Foundation. "You'll find that whenever we lose someone in the line of duty we're a close-knit group and I'll emphasize career and volunteer, there's really no difference. We all pull together in the brotherhood and sisterhood. This truly exemplifies what we're all about."
Falkenhan was 43. He's never forgotten with commemorative decals on helmets and on the truck he was riding that night.
About 1,000 people are expected at Friday night's event, which will benefit Mark Falkenhan's wife and their two young sons.
"The bull and oyster roast will be held at the Towson Center Friday night. It's 7 'til midnight. It will benefit Mark's wife and their kids. We're also kind of doing it to turn the corner and sort of let the recovery and healing continue," said Fulton. "There will be a silent auction. It runs the gamut from sports memorabilia to gift baskets and gift certificates from restaurants and other services. The community has been very good about getting things to us."
"Even if you can't make it, come and buy a ticket. It's a great cause. It's something even beyond Mark that will help other fire personnel over the years," said Robinson.
Tickets to Friday night's benefit are $45. For more information, click here.
