The sudden death of Bruce Mandel — father, friend, soldier, hero and Chief of the Maplewood Volunteer First Aid Squad — has shaken many in our community to their core.

Bruce was too young to leave us, too important for us to do without. His funeral service on Tuesday left me with a bone deep sense of sadness, haunted by the tear-strained faces of his children as well as the clearly shaken visages of so many normally stoic members of our towns — from municipal staff to first aid volunteers to fire and police professionals who attended in great numbers.

Bruce's reach went beyond Maplewood — his children attend school in West Orange, his family worships in South Orange, he served in the elite forces of the Israeli Army. Bruce was respected wherever he went, in many towns, communities and even multiple countries. (Read a remembrance of him in New Jersey Jewish News here and a personal remembrance by Squad mate Stephen Morris here.)

At the service, Bruce's brother said that many of us live just getting through day to day — not really awake, never quite asleep — but Bruce lived each day truly alive and awake, resting up at night to wake and greet the day and save lives.

It was a message to embrace.

The Maplewood First Aid Squad has renamed its 2nd annual 5K walk taking place Sunday, Oct. 9, as The Chief Bruce Mandel Annual 5K Walkathon to honor Mandel. The walk begins at the Squad house on Boyden Avenue at 10 a.m. (Risa Olinsky is organizing a pre-walk walk that will start at Ricalton Square at 9 a.m. and wend its way to the Squad house by 10 a.m.) Participation is free, but a $25 sponsorship fee is encouraged.

Back in August 2010, I spent some time interviewing Bruce. He wanted no personal spotlight, no glory. He had a strong and central message: the First Aid Squad is completely funded by donations and has been suffering in this economy. He wanted to get the word out for residents of Maplewood to send in donations and partipate in FAS fundraisers.

Now is your chance. Honor Bruce's memory by helping to support and perpetuate an important pillar of our community — the Maplewood Volunteer First Aid Squad — or support the volunteer squad in whichever town you live in. It's important. It's a matter of life and death.

The walk takes place rain or shine, the route travel through the streets of Maplewood beginning and ending at the First Aid Squad headquarters at 129 Boyden Avenue — by the Maplewood Pool.

Register and download a sponsor sheet at: www.MaplewoodFirstAid.org. Questions or additional information: email MFAS5K@MaplewoodFirstAid.org or call (973) 761-1075.