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Mayor's Greetings!

In Memoriam: Honoring the Life of Firefighter Marques Hudson

(Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, and Firefighter Marques Hudson at his Swearing-in, December 10, 2021)

Mayor Mapp's Remarks at Lieutenant Hudson's Memorial - February 3, 2024

Ladies and Gentlemen, special guests, the beloved family of Marques Hudson, and the vast assembly of first responders who have come together, from near and far, in unity and mourning.

In my tenure as Mayor of this city, I have been tested through various crises and moments of challenge. Yet, none has shaken the very foundation of my role and my heart as profoundly as the tragic news I received last week—the passing of Fire Lieutenant Marques Hudson. This period has undoubtedly been the most arduous and heartrending. Earlier today, in a gesture of honor and recognition of his valor, we posthumously elevated Marques to the rank of Lieutenant. It’s a promotion I wish fervently he could have accepted in person, a testament to his exemplary service and sacrifice. The sorrow of this loss, though deeply personal to me, pales in comparison to the vast sea of grief and emptiness felt by his family and those who had the privilege of knowing and loving him.

I extend my heart, and hand to the family of Marques Hudson, in this moment of profound sorrow and loss, I extend my deepest, most heartfelt condolences. The city of Plainfield shares in your grief, recognizing that the void left by Marques's passing cannot be filled with words alone. His sacrifice, a testament to his extraordinary bravery and dedication, has left an indelible mark on our community.

As your Mayor, and on behalf of our city, I promise that Marques's legacy of selflessness and heroism will be forever honored and remembered. We stand with you, not just today but in the days, months, and years to come, committed to supporting you in every way we can. May the memory of Marques's valor and the love he had for his city bring you some comfort during this incredibly difficult time.

As I stand here, surrounded by a sea of uniforms, I'm reminded of the strength and resilience that define our first responders. This wall of uniformed solidarity, however, does not mask the real pain and anguish that lies beneath. It's a poignant reminder of the personal sacrifices made by those who serve. Today, our Plainfield community comes together not just in grief, but in profound solidarity, offering comfort to Marques's loved ones and honoring a son of this city, whose life was a beacon of hope and bravery. Marques was the epitome of courage, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to rush towards danger to save lives and protect our beloved city. His sacrifice is a stark testament to the extent of his dedication.

The terms we commonly use to express gratitude or to acknowledge someone's bravery seem wholly inadequate when faced with the magnitude of Marques's sacrifice. To call him a hero barely scratches the surface of his bravery; to name him a legend does not fully encapsulate the breadth of his legacy. Marques Hudson's name will forever resonate within the heart of Plainfield, his ultimate sacrifice becoming the benchmark against which all acts of service and duty are measured.

To the first responders gathered here, your presence is a powerful testament to the bonds that unite you in service and sacrifice. The collective prayers of our community extend to you, recognizing the enormity of the commitment you demonstrate each day. We cannot fully grasp the weight of the duty you embrace or the fears that your families face alongside you. Yet, know this—your bravery, your dedication, and your service are the lifeblood of Plainfield.

You are our heroes, our strength, and our pride. This city stands in awe of your commitment and is eternally grateful for the security and peace you provide.

As we reflect on Marques's life—a life dedicated to service, to bravery, and to the protection of others—let us also consider the legacy he leaves behind. A legacy that calls on each of us to embody the values he lived by: courage in the face of danger, compassion in the presence of suffering, and unwavering commitment to our fellow citizens. Let us pledge to keep Marques's spirit alive, not just in memory, but in action. By supporting one another, by fostering a community of safety and care, and by honoring the sacrifices of those who, like Marques, give their all in the service of others.

In closing, I urge all of us to carry forward the memory of Marques Hudson not as a reminder of sorrow, but as a beacon of inspiration. Let his life and sacrifice inspire us to greater acts of kindness, bravery, and service. May we strive to live up to the example he set, ensuring his legacy endures and flourishes in the actions we take and the decisions we make for the betterment of Plainfield, the state, and the nation.

Thank you.

#AmoPlainfield #LovePlainfield #PlainfieldStrong #MarquesHudsonMemorial

Creating One Plainfield, One Future.

Creando Un Plainfield y Un Futuro

Mayor | Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp

City of Plainfield NJ

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¡Saludos del Alcalde!

In Memoriam: Honrando la Vida del Bombero Marques Hudson

Declaraciones del alcalde Mapp en el monumento conmemorativo del Teniente Hudson - 3 de Febrero de 2024

Damas y caballeros, invitados especiales, la querida familia de Marques Hudson y la gran asamblea de socorristas que se han reunido, de cerca y de lejos, en unidad y luto.

Durante mi mandato como alcalde de esta ciudad, he pasado por varias crisis y momentos de desafío. Sin embargo, nada ha sacudido los cimientos de mi papel y mi corazón tan profundamente como la trágica noticia que recibí la semana pasada: el fallecimiento del teniente de bomberos Marques Hudson. Este período ha sido sin duda el más arduo y desgarrador. Hoy, en un gesto de honor y reconocimiento de su valor, elevamos póstumamente a Marqués al rango de teniente. Es un ascenso que desearía fervientemente que hubiera aceptado en persona, un testimonio de su servicio y sacrificio ejemplares. El dolor de esta pérdida, aunque profundamente personal para mí, palidece en comparación con el vasto mar de dolor y vacío que sienten su familia y aquellos que tuvieron el privilegio de conocerlo y amarlo.

Extiendo mi corazón y mi mano a la familia de Marques Hudson, en este momento de profundo dolor y pérdida, extiendo mi más sentido pésame. La ciudad de Plainfield comparte su dolor y reconoce que el vacío dejado por el fallecimiento de Marques no se puede llenar sólo con palabras. Su sacrificio, testimonio de su extraordinaria valentía y dedicación, ha dejado una huella indeleble en nuestra comunidad. Como su alcalde, y en nombre de nuestra ciudad, prometo que el legado de altruismo y heroísmo de Marques será honrado y recordado para siempre. Estamos a su lado, no sólo hoy sino en los días, meses y años venideros, comprometidos a apoyarlo en todo lo que podamos. Que el recuerdo del valor de Marques y el amor que tenía por su ciudad les traiga algo de consuelo durante este momento increíblemente difícil.

Mientras estoy aquí, rodeado por un mar de uniformes, recuerdo la fuerza y la resiliencia que definen a nuestros socorristas. Este muro de solidaridad uniformada, sin embargo, no oculta el dolor y la angustia reales que se esconden debajo. Es un recordatorio conmovedor de los sacrificios personales realizados por quienes sirven. Hoy, nuestra comunidad de Plainfield se une no sólo en dolor, sino en profunda solidaridad, ofreciendo consuelo a los seres queridos de Marques y honrando a un hijo de esta ciudad, cuya vida fue un faro de esperanza y valentía. Marques fue el epítome del coraje, la dedicación y un compromiso inquebrantable de correr hacia el peligro para salvar vidas y proteger nuestra querida ciudad. Su sacrificio es un claro testimonio del alcance de su dedicación.

Los términos que utilizamos comúnmente para expresar gratitud o reconocer la valentía de alguien parecen totalmente inadecuados ante la magnitud del sacrificio de Marques. Llamarlo héroe apenas roza la superficie de su valentía; nombrarlo leyenda no resume completamente la amplitud de su legado. El nombre de Marques Hudson resonará para siempre en el corazón de Plainfield, y su máximo sacrificio se convertirá en el punto de referencia con el que se miden todos los actos de servicio y deber.

Para los socorristas reunidos aquí, su presencia es un testimonio poderoso de los vínculos que los unen en servicio y sacrificio. Las oraciones colectivas de nuestra comunidad se extienden hacia ti, reconociendo la enormidad del compromiso que demuestras cada día. No podemos comprender plenamente el peso del deber que asumís ni los temores que vuestras familias enfrentan junto a vosotros. Sin embargo, sepa esto: su valentía, su dedicación y su servicio son el alma de Plainfield.

Ustedes son nuestros héroes, nuestra fuerza y nuestro orgullo. Esta ciudad está asombrada por su compromiso y eternamente agradecida por la seguridad y la paz que brindan.

Mientras reflexionamos sobre la vida de Marques, una vida dedicada al servicio, la valentía y la protección de los demás, consideremos también el legado que deja. Un legado que llama a cada uno de nosotros a encarnar los valores por los que vivió: coraje ante el peligro, compasión ante el sufrimiento y compromiso inquebrantable con nuestros conciudadanos. Prometamos mantener vivo el espíritu de Marques, no sólo en la memoria, sino en la acción. Apoyándonos unos a otros, fomentando una comunidad de seguridad y cuidado, y honrando los sacrificios de aquellos que, como Marques, lo dan todo al servicio de los demás.

Para terminar, los insto a todos a llevar adelante la memoria de Marques Hudson no como un recordatorio de dolor, sino como un faro de inspiración. Dejemos que su vida y sacrificio nos inspiren a mayores actos de bondad, valentía y servicio. Que nos esforcemos por estar a la altura del ejemplo que él dio, asegurando que su legado perdure y florezca en las acciones que tomamos y las decisiones que tomamos para el mejoramiento de Plainfield, el estado y la nación.

Gracias.

#AmoPlainfield #LovePlainfield #PlainfieldStrong #MarquesHudsonMemorial

Creating One Plainfield, One Future.

Creando Un Plainfield y Un Futuro

Mayor | Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp

City of Plainfield NJ

Firefighter Marques Hudson is Posthumously Promoted to the rank of Fire Lieutenant

February 3, 2024

In a deeply moving and significant act of recognition, Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, Fire Director Kenneth Childress, and the city administration of Plainfield posthumously elevated Firefighter Marques Hudson to the rank of Lieutenant as a testament to his extraordinary bravery and unwavering commitment in the face of peril. On Saturday, February 3, 2026, Marques's mother, his life partner, and youngest son accepted the honor on his behalf in a ceremony that was both touching and somber. In attendance were Assemblywoman Linda Carter, County Commissioners, members of the city administration, and members of Lieutenant Hudson’s family.

This posthumous promotion was not merely a formality but a profound recognition of Marques Hudson's fearless dedication and the ultimate sacrifice he made in the line of duty. It serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers that firefighters willingly face every day to protect their communities and of Marques's exemplary courage and service. Through this honor, Marques's legacy is celebrated and preserved as an enduring inspiration to his peers and future generations, embodying the spirit of heroism and selflessness that define the firefighting profession.

This action went beyond commemorating a fallen hero; it was a pivotal moment that sent a strong message that the sacrifices of firefighters are deeply respected and honored.