Monday, August 11, 2008

Oregon Firefighters



Governor Ted Kulongoski ordered all flags at public institutions to be flown at half-staff from sunrise Monday, August 11, 2008 through sunset Friday, August 15, 2008 in memory of the eight Oregonian firefighters and crew who lost their lives August 5th in the helicopter crash in northern California.

“Year after year we depend on these committed individuals to protect our homes, our communities and our forests in the face of an unpredictable, unrelenting Mother Nature. Their dedication to this precarious job serves us all,” said Governor Ted Kulongoski. “For the families and communities that have lost a loved one, our thoughts and prayers are with you. We are forever indebted to you and to those who gave their lives bravely helping others.”

The helicopter crashed while on duty fighting the Iron Complex of fires in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The crash claimed the lives of seven Grayback Forestry employees and injured three others. The two pilots, employees of Carson Helicopters, also were Oregonians. One was killed and the other injured. A U.S. Forest Service employee from California also died in the crash.

Photo at the Marion County Corrections facility on Aumsville Hwy. SE.

8 comments:

Lynette said...

Thank you for this photo and your text, Jill. We need to think of them and their families, to pray for them.

Anonymous said...

Sad news.
My prayers for them.

Unknown said...

I heard this on the news. Seemed so far away, until you read about it from someone in that area

Anonymous said...

A lovely photo but such a sad reason for taking the photo, what a tragic loss of life.

Kris McCracken said...

It’s a big ask, to be a firefighter.

Unknown said...

This is so tragic, our thoughts and prayers are with their families.

USelaine said...

I read about this too. He was so young, and so dedicated.

Melissajcqf said...

Thank you for this photo and your text, Jill. We need to think of them and their families, to pray for them.