On behalf of Chief Tidwell, we are sharing Secretary Perdue's special message to Forest Service employees in memory of fallen firefighter Brent Witham.
Dear Forest Service Family:
No words of support or condolence can ever truly ease the pain of the loss of a valued family member, but we in the Office of the Secretary are compelled to communicate to you how deeply sorry we are to learn of the death of one of your brave comrades, Brent Witham. The word "family" is apt, because at USDA we are a community connected to each other by a shared mission of serving the American people. And with the news that a young firefighter from the Forest Service Vista Grande Interagency Hotshot Crew has lost his life in the line of duty, we grieve together as a USDA family.
The jobs you do protect people and property from the ravages of forest fires, and, as we are reminded today, place your own lives in great jeopardy. On behalf of a grateful citizenry, we thank you for your courage and selflessness in answering the call each time disaster strikes. The fire which claimed Brent’s life at Lolo National Forest's Lolo Peak rages on, which means the work there must continue unabated. We urge you to be cautious in your approach, ever mindful that fire is deadly and remorseless. And we thank you again for the noble work that you do in keeping the rest of us safe.
Mary and I are praying for Brent’s family and friends, and for the safety of all of you.
With shared sorrow,
Sonny Perdue
Secretary
Dear Forest Service Family:
No words of support or condolence can ever truly ease the pain of the loss of a valued family member, but we in the Office of the Secretary are compelled to communicate to you how deeply sorry we are to learn of the death of one of your brave comrades, Brent Witham. The word "family" is apt, because at USDA we are a community connected to each other by a shared mission of serving the American people. And with the news that a young firefighter from the Forest Service Vista Grande Interagency Hotshot Crew has lost his life in the line of duty, we grieve together as a USDA family.
The jobs you do protect people and property from the ravages of forest fires, and, as we are reminded today, place your own lives in great jeopardy. On behalf of a grateful citizenry, we thank you for your courage and selflessness in answering the call each time disaster strikes. The fire which claimed Brent’s life at Lolo National Forest's Lolo Peak rages on, which means the work there must continue unabated. We urge you to be cautious in your approach, ever mindful that fire is deadly and remorseless. And we thank you again for the noble work that you do in keeping the rest of us safe.
Mary and I are praying for Brent’s family and friends, and for the safety of all of you.
With shared sorrow,
Sonny Perdue
Secretary
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