Vigil in memory of hometown hero
By DANIELLE CAMILLI
Burlington County Times


MAPLE SHADE - A candlelight vigil in memory of hometown hero U.S. Army Spc. David P. Mahlenbrock is scheduled tonight at 7 at the municipal complex on Stiles Avenue.

Mahlenbrock, 20, died Dec. 3 in Iraq when a roadside bomb detonated while he was clearing a route in the city of Kirkuk.

He was a combat engineer with the 65th Engineer Battalion, 25th Infantry Division based in Hawaii and had been in Iraq since January.

Mahlenbrock grew up in the township and was a 2002 graduate of Maple Shade High School. His father and three brothers still live in Maple Shade.

"The vigil really was spontaneous," Township Manager George Haeuber said yesterday. "The members of Township Council really wanted to recognize David Mahlen-brock as a resident who contributed to his community and his country."

He said candles would be provided.

Meanwhile, Soldiers' Angels, a Nevada-based nonprofit organization that supports U.S. military personnel and their families, was unable to convince country music star Toby Keith to personally sing "American Soldier" during Mahlen-brock's funeral.


Vigil in memory of hometown hero (phillyBurbs.com)