JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Fallen Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Engineer Michael Freeland would have turned 37 on Saturday.
Freeland died in the line of duty in December while performing a rescue for a driver who had struck a concrete utility pole.
Freeland’s family wanted to honor his memory Saturday and celebrate the significant impact he made on the community -- and they didn’t want to do it alone.
So they threw a bonfire celebration in his honor, featuring a low country boil, at a local farm.
Freeland’s mother said he loved birthdays and celebrations, and she knows Saturday’s event was something he would have wanted.
The party featured a DJ, food, lights and friends and family having a good time. Freeland’s JFRD uniform and a self portrait stood at the front of the venue as a constant reminder of his service to Jacksonville. Members of JFRD also showed up to pay their respects to their fallen colleague.
At first, the celebration was going to be small, but his mother expected hundreds to show up -- and they did.
“I thought about everybody who was involved in his life and has been giving back to me I wanted them to be able to experience this,” Terona Feacher said. “We should all be able to experience it together.”
The family said the bonfire symbolized Freeland’s work with JFRD and served as a way to bring everyone in the community together.