HARTLAND -- Called a hero to his family and the community, fallen firefighter Michael Snowman will receive national recognition today.

Snowman, 49, died of an apparent heart attack while responding with other area firefighters to a house fire on River Road in Detroit on Nov. 17, 2008.

Today, Snowman will be among more than 100 men and women honored at the 28th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emmitsburg, Md. The tribute, which marks the beginning of National Fire Prevention Week, is sponsored by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the Department of Homeland Security.

During 2008, 103 firefighters across the country died in the line of duty, according to the national foundation.

More than 5,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony, including members of Congress and White House officials. Families of fallen firefighters will receive flags flown over the U.S. Capitol and the National Memorial, according to the national foundation.

One member of the Hartland Fire Department, Kevin Burnham, will attend the service with his family, according to Hartland Fire Chief Donald Neal.

"Mike -- you couldn't have asked for a better guy to work with," Neal said Saturday. "He'll be missed."

At his memorial service last year, held at First Baptist Church in Hartland, Snowman was remembered as a hero to his family, community and children of Hartland, as well as a man always willing to give a helping hand to anybody in need.

Snowman served as a Hartland volunteer firefighter for nearly 20 years. Before that, he had a three-year stint with the neighboring Detroit Fire Department.

Snowman's commitment to community started before becoming a volunteer firefighter. He joined the U.S. Army a few years after graduating from Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield and served for six years.

He also volunteered in many capacities at First Baptist Church and never ceased to be a devoted, tireless husband, father and grandfather, according to family and friends.

In a statement sent by the Hartland Volunteer Fire Department at the service, Second Assistant Chief Paul Moulton wrote, "It didn't matter what position he served, Mike always gave his very best. Mike's overwhelming enthusiasm and love of the job made a huge impact on the other members of the department. To some of us he was like a brother and to others he was like a father figure and to all (of us) he will be greatly missed."

For more information on today's tribute, visit Weekend.firehero.org.