Annual event will be held Friday, May 22, at 9 a.m. at Erdman Automotive in Cocoa
Retired Army Col. Mark Baaden will be the keynote speaker at Erdman Automotive’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony. The ceremony will start at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 22, at the Erdman dealership on I-95/S.R. 520 in Cocoa.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Erdman Automotive will hold its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Friday, May 22.
The ceremony will be held at the Erdman dealership, I-95/S.R. 520, in Cocoa, Florida, and will start at 9 a.m.
During Baaden’s Army career, he has supported the nation’s efforts on five major deployments – two Operation Iraqi Freedom tours in 2003 and 2007; New Orleans, Louisiana, in support of Hurricane Katrina in 2005; Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2011; and Somalia in 2016.
Retired Army Col. Mark Baaden, shown in Karbala, Iraq, will be the keynote speaker at Erdman Automotive’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony. The ceremony will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, at the Erdman dealership at I-95/S.R. 520 in Cocoa, Florida, and will start at 9 a.m.
Baaden’s awards include the Legion of Merit, four Bronze Star Medals, the Purple Heart Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, and the Army Commendation Medal for Valor.
Baaden was also awarded the Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge, as well as both the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Combat Action Badge. Upon retirement, he received the Legion of Merit.
Retired Army Col. Mark Baaden and his wife, Selena, in Rhode Island, as he completed Brigade Command. Baaden will be the keynote speaker at Erdman Automotive’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony. The ceremony will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, at the Erdman dealership at I-95/S.R. 520 in Cocoa, and will start at 9 a.m.
Baaden retired from the New York State Troopers after 28 years and was a first responder on the morning of 9/11 to the World Trade Center in New York City for rescue and recovery operations.
In 2024, he retired as a State Trooper and made Melbourne his home.
Baaden continues to serve our country and safeguard our community as a Lieutenant with the Cocoa Police Department.
He has been married to Selena for nearly 29 years. Together, they have a daughter, Samantha, and a son, Michael. He and Selena are proud grandparents to their grandson, Richard.
Retired Army Col. Mark Baaden is now a Lieutenant with the Cocoa Police Department. Baaden will be the keynote speaker at Erdman Automotive’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony. The ceremony will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, at the Erdman dealership at I-95/S.R. 520 in Cocoa, Florida, and will start at 9 a.m.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Steve Wilson moved to Brevard County in 1984 and has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 25 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events significant to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports and the space industry, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.
Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana, and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia. He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.
Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey, Florida House District 32 Constituent of the Week 4/20/25.
Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.
He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 26 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events significant to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.
The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.
