A Few Thoughts for Us All… Local 1014
On a crystal-clear Saturday morning at a place where the legends of sport have roamed, we saluted two of our legends … Ted Hall and Arnie Quinones.
Each was one of a kind, and we are not the same department, or the same Local 1014, now that they are gone. But we gather strength from the memorable tribute we gave them Sept. 12 at Dodger Stadium … a sendoff befitting two true heroes.
Ted and Arnie gave their lives trying to save the lives of 70 plus other people. As Ted’s good friend Capt. John Santero said Saturday, “I can’t think of anything more noble or courageous than that.”
More than 8,000 people attended the service, including roughly 2,000 from our department. Nearly 300 separate pieces of apparatus encircled Dodger Stadium from well over 100 different departments. Thousands of our brothers and sisters from throughout the state gathered with their families as we mourned the loss of two members of our firefighter family.
It was very nice to see Vice President Joseph Biden, a true friend of the fire service, as well as Gov. Schwarzenegger, General President Schaitberger, Supervisor Knabe, Senator Boxer and dozens of local, state and national dignitaries come to respectfully pay their respects, it meant a lot to both families.
As president of Local 1014, I was proud to represent the brothers and sisters in the firehouses and at the fire camps … the men and women on the front lines. It is on their behalf that I want to express our sincere gratitude to the thousands who joined us as we said good-bye to our brothers. It was also not just me on behalf of our membership, but these nine great men…Dave Lopez, John Bishop, John Smolin, Will Pryor, Paul Rusin, Dave Morse, Pat Dolan, Lew Currier and Andy Doyle who gave countless hours to help put things together for the Local…you can be proud of your team at the Hall. Also I would point our office manager Michelle Staal came to get things done and with a ferocious appetite for perfection, she made things happen for the Local.
Thank you to all members of Local 1014 who took time to help put this memorial service together and truly it was a fitting and proper tribute to Ted and Arnie…one that will never be forgotten. All who worked, attended, and helped with the service should be very proud and we would want it no other way. Aces.
Thanks to the Dodger organization who opened their doors for our memorial – the first time Dodger Stadium has been used for an event of this type.
Thanks to our UFLAC brothers and sisters with Los Angeles City Fire for an awesome display of unity and support. From opening their training facility for apparatus staging to the symbolic designation of Dodger Stadium as “L.A. County” for one day, there was no request too great … no problem they were not there to help solve.
Thanks to IAFF and CPF, who stepped in to provide staffing, logistical and communications support wherever and whenever it was needed. IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger’s remarks captured the spirit of the day, and the Pipes and Drums of the California Professional Firefighters added dignity and power to an emotional service.
Finally, humble thanks and appreciation of every firefighter to the families of our fallen brothers and sisters. To Ted’s wife Katherine, his sons Randall and Steven and his parents, Roland and Donna. To Arnie’s wife Loressa, and their beautiful child yet to be born, and Arnie’s mother Sonia and brother Ozzie.
As surely as Ted and Arnie, you are in our hearts and our prayers. Forever forward, know that you are a part of our family, and we will be there for you whenever, and wherever you need us.
What Arnie’s brother Ozzie said at the service may truly be said of both men … “they are gone, but they will never be forgotten.”
With pride and honor and respect…
Dave Gillotte
President, Local 1014
Donations and Condolences
Donations for the Hall and Quinones families are being accepted by check payable to the "Los Angeles County Firefighters Benefit Fund" at the following address:
Los Angeles County Firefighters Benefit Fund
C/O Los Angeles County Firefighters Local 1014
3460 Fletcher Avenue
El Monte, Ca. 91731
Condolence cards to the family and to Local 1014 may be sent in care of:
Los Angeles County Firefighters Local 1014
3460 Fletcher Ave.
El Monte, CA 91731
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