|
News & Features
From the Idyllwild Town Crier weekly newspaper, 05.15.08 edition.
Highway 243 dedicated to fire victims
By J.P. Crumrine, Assistant Editor
Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) led a Friday ceremony at
the Silent Valley RV Club in Poppet Flats dedicating the 30 miles of
Highway 243 from Banning to Mountain Center as the “Esperanza
Firefighters Memorial Highway.”
Within weeks of the tragic deaths of five Forest Service firefighters —
Capt. Mark Loutzenhiser, Fire Engine Operator Jess McLean, Assistant
Fire Engine Operator Jason McKay and firefighters Daniel Hoover-Najera
and Pablo Cerda — American Legion Post 519 of Palm Springs suggested
that this portion of the highway honor these heroic men.
Riverside County Fire Chief John Hawkins referred to them as “Jedi
firefighters” at the ceremony, for being the best and wanting to save
lives. He also said the event has influenced firefighting colleagues,
as well as the families.
“It was tragic day; it affected my life,” he reflected. “With public
service goes a risk. Every day we work to mitigate that risk.”
“Right after the tragedy, we felt something lasting should be done for
the five brave firefighters,” said Lee Gussler, Post 519 commander. “It
just came to me, and Assemblyman Benoit pushed it through the
Legislature.”
At Friday’s ceremony, Gussler told the crowd, “This is a very dangerous
drive, but I feel it is a little safer with five guardian angels
looking over it.”
Family members of each firefighter, except Cerda, attended the
ceremony. They listened to several speakers, received a flag flown at
the state capitol and were invited to unveil the highway marker signs.
Gussler said the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians were
instrumental in acquiring the new highway signs.
Nancy Layton, Mountain Disaster Preparedness president, reminded the
attendees that the Esperanza Fire was the fourth fire in 34 years that
has scorched the Poppet Flats and Twin Pines areas. Then she
complimented Silent Valley on opening its doors to evacuees during
these emergencies.
“It is a private membership club, not a public responsibility,” she
said. “But they know about community service.”
Other speakers included Mike Dietrich, San Bernardino National Forest
fire chief, and Mike Perovich, Caltrans District 8 director.
Web Site designed by the Idyllwild
Town Crier © 1995-2007 by Idyllwild Publications
WEBMASTER
|
