Brothers & Sisters,
Today our Los Angeles County Fire Department family came together to remember and never forget one of our own. Firefighter Specialist, Engineer Jeff Windle was honored at a Department's traditional Flag Ceremony at Fire Station 94 in Lakewood. Fire Station 94 was joined by Engine 56, Battalion 9, and many other active and retired LA County Fire Fighters and Fire Personnel to stand with Jeff’s mom, sister, and girlfriend as well as his closest Fire Family members to give honor to his 22 years of service on our job.
Special thanks to the LACoFD Honor Guard members and Pipes and Drums, Piper Big Pete Martinez for framing the day. Always there to set the tone for our fallen, these selfless and amazing men and women from our ranks delivered without fail to fold the flag last flown above the station Jeff spent most of his FF and Engineer time. The Windles were embraced and shored up in this time of grief and sorrow. We will help them make the turn, and we also let them know things that need to be spoken of will not go away. Chief Marrone and President Gillotte spoke to some of those items that will be taken up another day. Mental health/behavioral health issues are every bit as powerful as physical injuries and we cannot and will not look away from the work in progress. We thank the Windle family for engaging to help.
Jeff was an amazing Firefighter and had a love of the people he mentored and helped along in their careers. Chaplain Vince Roldan perfectly captured his friend Jeff’s positive impact on so many who crossed his path. Serving 22 years, the service Jeff gave to our communities and the people we help is also part of his amazing story. Thank you to Chaplain Roldan and also to the team of Fire Department members who helped with food and bunting and flowers and more to capture a tender and powerful moment in time for the Windles.
Please join us at a paddle out in Jeff’s memory April 16th at Huntington Beach Cliffs 19215-19399 PCH, Huntington Beach CA, 92648 at 10am. Longboards and SUPs are welcome. Please send cards and flowers to The Windle Family at 17041 St. Andrews Lane, Huntington Beach, CA 92649.
Finally, thank you to Fire Chief Anthony Marrone for standing up and powerfully speaking to represent us all in the love and embrace we gave to the Windles. The Fire Chief’s voice and words matter, and his compassion and heartfelt and soulful stance is what we need in times like this.
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