?My feeling about those who put their lives on the line everyday is no secret,? noted Rep. Elton Gallegly. Those in New York ?Died trying to save countless lives, doing the job they were trained to do, the job they loved to do. . .??In spite of what you saw, I know because of your sense of duty and commitment, you would do the very same thing,? said Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson. Her husband and daughter were in New York, ?not that close, but it seemed awfully close,? when she learned of the attacks.Although firefighters face many situations, what was never expected was ?Acts of cowardice,? that caused so much destruction, noted Ventura County Fire Chief Bob Roper. Firefighters a block away witnessed the first jetliner crash into the tower, entered the building and climbed the stairs as the command post was set up outside.High-ranking department officials were killed at the command post, Chief Roper added, including the department Chaplain praying over a dying firefighter.?The victims were victims by no choice but rescue workers choose to be there. . .our tears fall with their tears, our hearts break with their hearts and our pain is their pain,? Chief Roper said of the fallen rescue workers and their families.The Santa Paula Fire Department was represented by Chief Paul Skeels and Deputy Chief Rick Araiza as well as Captain Kevin Fildes, Engineer Steve Lazenby, and Firefighter Dustin Lazenby; the Santa Paula Police Department was represented by Chief Bob Gonzales, School Resource Officer Michelle Velasco, Community Service Officer Dawne Koranda, Reserve Sgt. Mark Cagnacci, Reserve Officer/Dispatcher Rich Randolph, Reserve Officer Darrell Johnson and Dispatcher Jennifer Schladetzky.
Fallen firefighters, police honored at Ventura Govt. Center memorial service
September 28, 2001
Santa Paula Police Department
The American flag was hung high between the extended ladders of two fire engines when Ventura County?s public safety employees attended a memorial service for the hundreds of firefighter, police officer and other emergency responders who became victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe American flag was hung high between the extended ladders of two fire engines when Ventura County?s public safety employees attended a memorial service for the hundreds of firefighter, police officer and other emergency responders who became victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York.Held in the courtyard of Ventura County Government Center, Santa Paula was represented at the solemn memorial by firefighters and police personnel who stood among the ranks of rescue personnel.Firefighters had black bands across their badges with ?NYFD? to honor the approximately 300 who died from the aftermath of the hijacked jetliner attacks on the World Trade Center?s 110-story twin towers, which both collapsed. Terrorists also slammed a hijacked jet into the Pentagon.Soulful bagpipers opened the service for the crowd of about 500 people, many who wiped away tears or wept openly during the memorial.Oxnard Police Officer Felice Thompson sang the national anthem and then an array of fire, police and elected officials offered words of praise for the bravery of those lost and comfort to those who feel their loss.Many survivors of the World Trade Center attack said as they were coming down the stairs, firefighters and police were ?coming up the stairs,? said Ventura Mayor Sandy Smith. ?Everyday you have to make that decision on whether or not to go up those stairs,? he told the emergency personnel.
