Tomorrow will be 2 years!

[azsnowman]

Can you BELIEVE it's been 2 years tomorrow that the Rodeo Chediski Fire forced the evacuation of 30,000+ residents of the White Mountains and burned over 489,000 ACRES (the size of Los Angles Calif and outlaying suberbs)??? Part of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation was renamed today in honor of Mr. Rick Lupe...the HERO that is credited for saving the cities of Pinetop, Lakeside, Show Low, Hondah, McNary....a fitting tribute indeed. A cross was placed today at the sight of the Kinishba Fire where Mr. Rick Lupe was *burned over* and suffered 3rd° burns, which in turn, took his life.

Dennis

[streetsoldier]

Rick Lupe was one in a million, Dennis...thank God we have such men and women as Rick, you, MEE-chelle, and others who go into harm's way for us.

That Rodeo-Chedeski reclaimed timber door sign now has much greater significance to me; I will treasure it always.

[Aquawind]

Wow thats a big fire.. Thats cool they honored Rick..I remember you posting about him and read a few of your local articles about him a while back..

[azsnowman]

Rick Lupe was one in a million, Dennis...thank God we have such men and women as Rick, you, MEE-chelle, and others who go into harm's way for us.

That Rodeo-Chedeski reclaimed timber door sign now has much greater significance to me; I will treasure it always.

Thank you Sir! I am honored that you feel that way, as YOU know yourself, you've been THERE, DONE that, that your NOT in it for the GLORY, the "What's in it for me?" You do it because you have a passion for your fellow man

I made a *special* corner table out the Rodeo Chediski Salvage Lumber myself, it too, serves as a reminder of the sacrifice Rick made and the COUNTLESS others that put their lives on the line to protect my home. On the shelf sits a hand carved, by a native of the rez, Apache Crown Dancer also made out of a piece of Cottonwood from the burn area.


Dennis

[Pburgh]

May he rest in peace. Bill I couldn't have said it better myself.

Dennis, I can't believe that it has been 2 years. I can remember exactly where I was standing when I got your call.

[Stephanie]

I can't believe it's been two years either! I would've sworn it was last year. Hopefully that will be the last of the big devastating fires in the southwest for a long while.

[Guest]

Mr. Lupe sounds like a very noble man indeed. I'm glad tribute is being paid to this wonderful man. Be careful out there Dennis! It's a great service you do, but a risky one.
...Jennifer...