Hundreds gathered in Sacramento Saturday to honor the lives of 35 members of the fire service as their names were added to the California Firefighters Memorial in Capitol Park. . He said he traveled to Sacramento to pay tribute to his county’s former fire marshal, Michael Horton. “He was my boss, mentor,” said Ronchetti. “He was a great man … everyone there misses him … he just brought light to our office.” Ronchetti and members of the fire service from agencies and departments across the state also attended a ceremony where the fallen were uplifted and honored. Acknowledging and celebrating again is the life and times of people who tried to make the world more gentle. That stands out because they got down on one knee to help lift other people up,” said California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who spoke at the ceremony. “People from every imaginable walk of life, political background, different generations – the 35 we remember here today – but all have one passion and that is for public service.” Banners with the names of their loved ones were presented. The names also now appear on the memorial wall.”Bittersweet” Ronchetti called the day a tribute, but one he didn’t want to miss. here on the wall,” he said. The 35 names, newly added to the memorial wall, join more than 1,500 names of firefighters who have died in the line of duty since California became a state in 1850.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Hundreds gathered in Sacramento Saturday to honor the lives of 35 members of the fire service as their names were added to the California Firefighters Memorial in Capitol Park.
Among those remembering deceased colleagues, family members, and loved ones was Monica Ronchetti, San Bernardino County fire marshal. He said he traveled to Sacramento to pay tribute to his county’s former fire marshal, Michael Horton.
“He was my boss, teacher,” Ronchetti said. “He was a great man … everyone there misses him … he just brought light to our office.”
Ronchetti and fire service members from agencies and departments across the state also attended a ceremony where the fallen were uplifted and honored.
“What we recognize and celebrate are the lives and times of people who tried to make the world a little more gentle. That stands out because they got down on one knee to help uplift other people,” said California Gov. . Gavin Newsom, who spoke at the ceremony. “People from every imaginable walk of life, political background, different generations – the 35 we remember here today – but all have one love and that is for public service.”
The families of the dead including four from the Sacramento area were given flags with the names of their loved ones. Names that can also be seen today on the memorial wall.
“Bittersweet” Ronchetti called the tribute day, but one he didn’t want to miss.
“It actually brings, well, sadness, but also joy because it’s nice to see him remembered here on the wall,” he said.
The 35 names, newly added to the memorial wall, join more than 1,500 names of firefighters who have died in the line of duty since California became a state in 1850.
