Redondo Beach Resident and LA Fire Chaplain Has His Say

Catherine Lyons, who covered the funeral for firefighter Brent Lovrien last week, and I received a day-brightening e-mail from Redondo Beach resident George Negrete, a retired firefighter who still serves as a chaplain to the department. He oficiated Lovrien's funeral last week after Lovrien was killed in a Westchester explosion.

He wrote:

Greetings all,

 

Just had to send you all a word of thanks for your recent articles surrounding the tragic events of March 26th including your coverage of Brent's memorial services on April 4th.

 

My name is George Negrete, I am currently a resident of Redondo Beach and have been living in the South Bay Beach communities for nearly 30years. I served as a firefighter with the Los Angeles City Fire Department for nearly 28 years, retired in 2005 and have been a serving as one of the Department chaplains for nearly 11 years.

 

I officiated Brent's services at the Cathedral downtown last Friday and while it has taken a few days for things to slow down enough to contact you, I did not want to forget to thank all of you for your coverage of events surrounding our recent loss. I know all too well that there are many events every 24 hours calling out for attention, so I appreciate the Breeze's willingness to dedicate so much space and attention to our very personal loss.

 

By doing so, by serving the fire family in this way, you have blessed Brent's family, his grieving co-workers, the department as a whole and the enitre profession. To us your journalism was more than just a simple human interest news item, it was actually received as a value statement about the women and men who wear the badge and report to work every day knowing that in the carrying out their duties it just might require them to give their life for the safety another.

 

Honoring first responders in this fashion not only brings comfort to us, but also to our families who stand with us as we serve.

 

God bless you and many thanks,

george negrete chaplain

Los Angeles City Fire Department