APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — An annual nationwide vigil to honor fallen firefighters will be held virtually this year due to the pandemic, but Appleton Fire says there are ways the community can participate.
Every October, the U.S. honors firefighters who died in the line of duty the previous year at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park, located on the campus of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
This year, on Sunday, Oct. 4, the lives of 82 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2019 and 21 firefighters who died in previous years will be remembered during America’s Tribute to Fallen Firefighters online at 10 a.m. (EDT). This service will include Appleton Fire Department Driver/Engineer Mitch Lundgaard.
In lieu of an in-person candlelight service this year, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has asked landmarks and fire departments across the country to participate in “Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters.”
The city of Appleton will be lighting all six fire stations, Houdini Fountain, and Jones Park in red from Sept. 27 through Oct. 4 as a symbol of support and comfort to the families whose loved ones are being remembered.
The community can also light their homes red. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has donated 500 red bulbs to the Appleton Fire Department to be distributed to the public to participate.
If you would like a red bulb, you can go to Appleton Fire Station 1 at 700 N. Drew St. while supplies last. There will be a limit of 2 bulbs per household.
