thedrifter
11-21-08, 07:41 AM
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Eight Marines honored as heroes for actions in motel fire
The Orange County Fire Authority recognizes actions of Marines during a fire at a Lake Forest motel.
By ERIKA I. RITCHIE
The Orange County Register
IRVINE - Eight Marines were honored Thursday by the Orange County Fire Authority for their bravery and quick action during a recent potentially catastrophic fire at a motel in Lake Forest.
"They were truly heroes on that day as they are every day for America," said Todd McKay of Buena Park, OCFA board chairman.
OCFA Certificates of Heroism were given to Jeremy Hernandez,18, of Lake Forest, John Mick,18, of Brush, Co., Adam Reidling, 19, of Lake Forest, Joshua Hernandez, 18, of Lake Forest, Thomas O'Brien, 19, of Irving, Texas, Jed Stock, 19, of Ramona, Jessie McLaughlin, 19, of Salem, Ore., and Colton Oliver, 18, of Hampton, Ark., all assigned to Company B, Infantry Training Battalion.
The Marines received a standing ovation from OCFA officials, board members and those attending the board meeting. U.S. Marine Corps officers and family members attended the event.
All eight were staying at America's Best Value Inn on Nov. 9 when electrical failure on the second floor appears to have sparked a fire, leaving more than 50 people without a place to stay.
The Marines, who had celebrated the Marine Corps 233rd birthday party at the Hernandez brothers' parent's home, were in their rooms when the fire broke out. O'Brien was the first to spot the flames spreading along the second-story balcony.
"He came to our room and yelled 'Get your stuff and get out,'" said Reidling. "We poked our heads out and saw the fire along the balcony. We noticed no one else was doing anything so we just started running door-to-door. When people came to their doors, they seemed tired at first but we told them 'the hotel's on fire, get out.'"
Reidling, an Eagle Scout and graduate of El Toro High, said the fire spread quickly, engulfing the motel. Eventually, it would burn down one building and cause $5 million in damages.
"They huddled as a team," said McKeown. "Six were going to do evacuations and two were going to help traffic get out of the parking lot. They ran door-to-door advising the guests of the fire. It was a very large fire, and if it hadn't been for the Marines, there's a good chance some of them wouldn't have gotten out."
USMC Capt. Justin Lokkesmoe, commanding officer of Bravo Company Infantry Training Battalion at the School of Infantry West at Camp Pendleton, commended the actions of his men.
"I'm incredibly proud of these Marines," he said. "They did what any Marine would have done in a bad situation. Their training as Marines and their individual character caused them to go in where they knew there was danger and make sure civilians were safe."
Lokkesmoe said he used the group of eights' actions as a training tool for the 282-member strong company.
"I told them if they find themselves in a similar situation, I expect them to act like Marines and make the best of a bad situation," said Lokkesmoe.
Contact the writer: 949-454-7307 or eritchie@ocregister.com
Ellie
Eight Marines honored as heroes for actions in motel fire
The Orange County Fire Authority recognizes actions of Marines during a fire at a Lake Forest motel.
By ERIKA I. RITCHIE
The Orange County Register
IRVINE - Eight Marines were honored Thursday by the Orange County Fire Authority for their bravery and quick action during a recent potentially catastrophic fire at a motel in Lake Forest.
"They were truly heroes on that day as they are every day for America," said Todd McKay of Buena Park, OCFA board chairman.
OCFA Certificates of Heroism were given to Jeremy Hernandez,18, of Lake Forest, John Mick,18, of Brush, Co., Adam Reidling, 19, of Lake Forest, Joshua Hernandez, 18, of Lake Forest, Thomas O'Brien, 19, of Irving, Texas, Jed Stock, 19, of Ramona, Jessie McLaughlin, 19, of Salem, Ore., and Colton Oliver, 18, of Hampton, Ark., all assigned to Company B, Infantry Training Battalion.
The Marines received a standing ovation from OCFA officials, board members and those attending the board meeting. U.S. Marine Corps officers and family members attended the event.
All eight were staying at America's Best Value Inn on Nov. 9 when electrical failure on the second floor appears to have sparked a fire, leaving more than 50 people without a place to stay.
The Marines, who had celebrated the Marine Corps 233rd birthday party at the Hernandez brothers' parent's home, were in their rooms when the fire broke out. O'Brien was the first to spot the flames spreading along the second-story balcony.
"He came to our room and yelled 'Get your stuff and get out,'" said Reidling. "We poked our heads out and saw the fire along the balcony. We noticed no one else was doing anything so we just started running door-to-door. When people came to their doors, they seemed tired at first but we told them 'the hotel's on fire, get out.'"
Reidling, an Eagle Scout and graduate of El Toro High, said the fire spread quickly, engulfing the motel. Eventually, it would burn down one building and cause $5 million in damages.
"They huddled as a team," said McKeown. "Six were going to do evacuations and two were going to help traffic get out of the parking lot. They ran door-to-door advising the guests of the fire. It was a very large fire, and if it hadn't been for the Marines, there's a good chance some of them wouldn't have gotten out."
USMC Capt. Justin Lokkesmoe, commanding officer of Bravo Company Infantry Training Battalion at the School of Infantry West at Camp Pendleton, commended the actions of his men.
"I'm incredibly proud of these Marines," he said. "They did what any Marine would have done in a bad situation. Their training as Marines and their individual character caused them to go in where they knew there was danger and make sure civilians were safe."
Lokkesmoe said he used the group of eights' actions as a training tool for the 282-member strong company.
"I told them if they find themselves in a similar situation, I expect them to act like Marines and make the best of a bad situation," said Lokkesmoe.
Contact the writer: 949-454-7307 or eritchie@ocregister.com
Ellie