The Forsyth Township Fireman of the Year 2018 tragically lost his life in the line of duty on March 18, battling a blaze at the former K.I. Sawyer AFB.
A mother and two children were able to escape the fire unscathed, but one Forsyth Fireman was not as lucky.
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer ordered that all flags, United States and Michigan, be lowered to half-staff in honor of Benjamin Lauren on March 21. The order was accompanied by Governor Whitmer talking about the tragic loss of the firefighter and his selfless acts in the line of duty.
Throughout the state, flags will be lowered to half-staff to honor Lauren. Private owners are asked to join the government offices in this tradition by lowering their flags to half-staff as well. Flags are to stay in this position until returned to full-staff on Sunday, March 22.
Lauren is not the only person in his family that is a part of the Forsyth Township Fire Department. His brother and sister are also firefighters there. Lauren was named as one of the most promising firemen when he received his 2018 award.
Besides earning the award in 2018, he also received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Northern Michigan University.
The statement did not tell what started the fire just that it was a duplex on the old AFB that went up in flames.
Lauren is a true Michigan hero.
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The articles published contain sensitive subject matter that may be hard to read by some. We understand that losing a loved one is hard and devastating. Safety Watch’s decision to share the stories is to help others who may be facing the same situations by providing appropriate resources to the general public.