Memorial Ceremony 2007
Hundreds Pay Tribute as California Firefighters Memorial Marks Fifth Anniversary
Uniformed firefighters, family members and dignitaries from throughout California came together Saturday in remembrance of those who paid the ultimate price to protect the lives and property of Californians.
In a solemn ceremony featuring a procession of uniformed firefighters and presentations to family members, 29 firefighters who fell in the line of duty were added to the California Firefighters Memorial. Located in historic Capitol Park, adjoining the California State Capitol in Sacramento, the Memorial carries the names of nearly 1,000 firefighters who died in service since California became a state in 1850. This year, the Memorial marks its fifth anniversary.
"We come together because we share a unique connection ... that runs deeper than boundary lines, or rank or years on the job," said Lou Paulson, President of California Professional Firefighters and Chair of the California Fire Foundation. "It is a connection of shared experience and commitment. A willingness to put yourself on the line not only for those you are sworn to protect, but for the man or woman at you side. We have a name for that kind of connection ... we call it 'family'"
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Gloria Ayala, mother of fallen Esperanza firefighter Daniel Hoover-Najera, receives flag at CA Firefighters Memorial |
Included among the names added to the Memorial Saturday were those of five U.S. Forest Service firefighters who died in a deadly arson fire last October. Mark Loutzenhiser, Jess McLean, Jason McKay, Daniel Hoover-Najera and Pablo Cerda gave their lives battling the devastating Esperanza Fire near Idyllwild in Riverside County. Also honored were two firefighters from Contra Costa County - Matthew Burton and Scott Desmond - who died trying to save an elderly couple from a fatal house fire in San Pablo in July of this year.
"When I think of my brothers, I don't think of that 'Class A.' I think of ball caps turned backwards. I think of camo shorts. I think of Scott in his jeans with a guitar. ... I think of Matt ... asleep with his life jacket on,” said Vito Impastato, a Contra Costa firefighter who knew Burton and Desmond. “It's not the uniform that defines the memory of loss. It is the station house pranks, needles, stories about family. Those are the things I will remember and cherish about my friends."
Eight other firefighters who fell in the past year were also honored, as well as 14 firefighters from earlier years whose sacrifice has only recently come to the attention of the California Fire Foundation, the non-profit foundation that built and maintains the Memorial.
Family members of all 29 honorees were in attendance at the ceremony, along with those from firefighters already immortalized on the polished limestone Memorial Wall. U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer spoke to the gathered family members and to the hundreds of uniformed firefighters who attended to pay their respects. Also speaking were Vito Impastato, a Contra Costa firefighter whose own father, Michael Impastato, was added to the Memorial in 2003, and Harold A. Schaitberger, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters
"Our traditions bring us to gather here, from near and far," said Harold A. Schaitberger, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters. "Whether we personally knew those on the wall or not, we make this pilgrimage because their service to humankind deserves such an honor."
The centerpiece of the moving ceremony is the presentation of flags to the families, friends and representatives of every one of the 29 individuals being honored. The tribute also featured a solemn uniformed firefighter procession and the traditional "Last Alarm" ceremony, in which a fire bell is rung to signify a fallen firefighter's final call to duty.
Unveiled in April of 2002, the California Firefighters Memorial features two statues and a dramatic Memorial Wall on which the names of more than 1,000 fallen firefighters are engraved. One statue - Holding The Line - depicts four firefighters in action, while the other - Fallen Brother - shows a single firefighter carrying a fallen colleague away from danger. "Fallen Brother" was designed and sculpted by Sacramento firefighter Jesus Romo.
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Jacob Loutzenhiser, son of fallen USFS Capt. Mark Loutzenhiser, receives salute at Memorial ceremony |
The Memorial was created without any state funding through private contributions to the California Fire Foundation. Most of the more than $2 million was raised to build and maintain the Memorial was raised directly from firefighters through the purchase of special firefighter license plates and a state tax check-off.
On the day of the Memorial ceremony, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed CPF-sponsored legislation to give the families of fallen federal firefighters a health insurance safety net. AB 384 (Portantino) would allow the survivors of fallen federal firefighters who lose health coverage to participate in a CalPERS-administered health insurance plan at no cost.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT AB 384
"We must do everything we can to help the families deal with the devastation and loss of a loved one who courageously fought in the line of duty," said Schwarzenegger in a signing statement. The governor attended the Saturday ceremony to pay his respects to the fallen, as did virtually every other statewide elected official.
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CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
All photos by Steve Hellon -- Click image to view larger-sized photo