Monday, August 7, 2017

8/7/2017 Memorial Update

WITHAM MEMORIAL CEREMONY

USDA Forest Service · 602 S Tippecanoe · San Bernardino · CA · 92408


August 7, 2017, 7:00 p.m., San Bernardino, CA - The body of Brent Witham was returned home to San Bernardino, California today. Brent died in the line of duty while engaged in firefighting efforts in
Montana on August 2nd, on the Lolo Peak Fire. He was transported with honor, officially escorted the entire way home by Forest Service Law Enforcement and Honor Guard.  

Brent was taken from the mortuary in Missoula, Montana to the Aerial Fire Depot where his Forest Service comrades escorted him aboard a Forest Service Sherpa aircraft, which flew him to the San Bernardino air tanker base. He was met there by his family, his crew, leadership from the San Bernardino National Forest and representatives of many other agencies wishing to honor him. He was then taken to the Montecito Memorial Park & Cemetery in a processional that stretched nearly a mile long with more than 50 vehicles participating.

Behind the hearse were members of his family, friends, the Vista Grande Hotshot crew, and many, many firefighting engines and emergency vehicles representing numerous agencies from surrounding cities and counties.  At several locations along the route, agency personnel and members of the community gathered along the route to pay special tribute; there was an especially large contingent of uniformed personnel and engines in front of the San Bernardino National Forest Headquarters.

As the procession reached the entrance to the Montecito Memorial Park & Cemetary, it passed under a large United States flag suspended high in the air by two fire department ladder trucks. Firefighters saluted their brother, Brent, as the motorcade entered the gates of the park.

The tribute to Brent continues into the week:  two large condolence “cards”  will be made available at the San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor’s Office, located at 602 S. Tippecanoe Avenue in San Bernardino, California, 92408, beginning at noon on August 8th through the evening of August 9th. People are encouraged to stop by and write messages and/or condolences for the family.  The cards will then be given to Brent’s family as a keepsake and remembrance of Brent.  Cards may also be mailed to the address listed above.  Emails with “CONDOLENCES” typed in the “subject” line may be sent to withammemorialinfo@gmail.com.
The following blog has been established:  www.withammemorialceremony.blogspot.com and we encourage you to access the blog frequently, since it is being updated regularly throughout the day.

The memorial service for Brent Witham is scheduled for Thursday, August 10th at the National Orange Show, Orange Pavilion, Arrowhead entrance, San Bernardino, CA 92408.  Anyone who would like to attend is welcome.  The memorial will begin at 10:00 am and the doors will be open around 9:00 am.  If, for some reason, this information changes, an update will be posted on the blog.

A Memorial Fund is being set up for Brent for those who are interesting in making a monetary donation.  Specific information regarding this account will be provided soon.

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