This is a picture of a very handsome fireman from the United States Forest Service. He mainly served in the Los Padres National Forest, yet often got called out to fight forest fires in different locations. Sometimes he even got called out of the state. When he would leave to do the job he loved he left something he loved even more at home, his family. His beautiful wife held down the fort while he was away and kept their five kiddos in line. A family man who loved the Lord and who left a legacy.
Early one morning he was called out to a fire. This was typical for him, yet this time he would need to travel to Priestlake, Idaho. There was a forest fire and his help was needed. He accepted the call of duty like he always did and headed to Idaho to fight what was named the Sundance Fire.
When he arrived at the location his job, along with another firefighter, was to make a firebreak in the forest to serve as a road. Once they got eight miles up in the mountains the fire was getting close, too close. Back in 1967, forest firefighters were not equipped with air apparatuses or proper communication devices. Fire blankets were not even made yet. These two brave men had no other choice but to bury themselves under a bulldozer. All they had were their hard hats to cover their faces. They were less than an eighth of a mile from a lake, yet couldn’t get to it. They buried themselves under the bulldozer in order to be able to breath what little oxygen was left. That oxygen eventually ran out. The fire took it all. This good lookin’, young firefighter in this picture passed away protecting the town of Priestlake, Idaho and doing a dangerous job that he loved.
This fireman was brave. This fireman was strong. This fireman was selfless. This fireman was a hero. This fireman IS a hero.
This fireman is my grandpa.
I am proud to say I am the granddaughter of fallen firefighter Luther P. Rodarte. Grandpa Lu, as we call him, passed away when he was only 36. His devoted wife, my Nana, was 38. My dad and his siblings were young. They ranged in ages from 4 to 13. My dad was 6 and a few days shy of his 7th birthday when he lost his dad. It’s definitely heart breaking, yet we are all so proud. Our family is proud to call Luther Rodarte our husband, dad and grandpa.
When Mike and I were newly married we had the privilege of traveling to Sacramento with my family to attend the California Fallen Firefighter memorial ceremony. We got to see Grandpa Lu be honored for accepting that call. My Nana was honored as the widow of this hero and his name etched on the historic wall.
It was a precious event and weekend for our family. My Nana, aunts, uncle and dad have always done such an amazing job of keeping Grandpa Lu’s legacy alive. I love hearing the stories and seeing the pictures. Growing up knowing what a hero your grandpa is was pretty cool. Yet, I have always wondered what it would be like if he were still here. We all do. We all wish he still was. I bet he would have been such a cool grandpa just like my Nana was the best grandma.
There is a correlation here in my family. We have two heroes we have lost. We have attended two different fallen hero memorial ceremonies in the same place. Our heroes names are both etched in memorial walls in the same area at our state’s capitol.
David and I were in Sacramento recently and we got to see my grandpa’s name on the firefighter memorial then walk over to see Mike’s name on the Police Memorial. Feelings of sadness and comfort at the same time. I am proud to be associated with these two names and these two amazing heroes. I pray that my boys will leave a legacy for their kids like my dad did for us in sharing stories of his dad.
I admire my Nana for doing such an amazing job raising five kids after losing the love of her life. She lived her best life while always honoring her husband. If I can be half the mom and wife of a fallen hero that she was I know I will make Mike proud.
I love you, Grandpa Lu.
