By Dr. Phyllis Olmstead
On June 30th, 2022, tragedy struck Apopka.
Austin Duran, a 25-year-old Apopka firefighter, was critically injured at Fire Station #1 while attempting to move a sand trailer. He died July 15th from the injuries he sustained that day.
Now, in honor of Duran, Apopka is erecting a service hero street sign at the corner of East 5th Street and South Park Avenue. His parents, Gail Duran and Michael Duran, will be participating in erecting the sign.
Duran was a firefighter and emergency medical technician at Fire Station One in Apopka. He began serving as a fire explorer in high school. Duran joined the department in April of 2020. He was named the 2022 Firefighter of the Year for the City of Apopka in March 2023. He has been honored on firefighter and EMT memorials around the nation.
Service Heroes Street Dedication
This street dedication is the first addition to the Service Heroes Street dedication program, which started in October 2022. At that time, Apopka streets were dedicated to 32 military personnel and one Apopka police officer who died for our country or in the line of duty. The military personnel died from 1862 during the Civil War through 2007 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Officer Denson Lee Hudson died in 1941.
Suggested Attire
If you wish to attend, first responders and military veterans are invited to attend in dress uniforms or logoed clothing. Guests are encouraged to wear Austin Duran, Apopka, or Americana clothing.
Post dedication invitation
VFW Post 10147 opens the Veteran’s Museum at the post on Wednesday and Saturday mornings at 8 am. You are invited to tour the museum and have a cup of coffee.
Austin Duran Street Dedication Event - March 9th
Time Event Type Location 9:00 a.m.
Street Dedication South Park Avenue and East 5th Street, NE Corner
Park in city lots on 5th Street Afterwards, Museum Tour and Coffee at VFW Post 10147 519 S Central Ave
VFW information 1-407-889-8266 RSVP VFWPost10147@Yahoo.com.
