Differing groups that either helped defend during the fire or are helping with the rebuild were present during a ceremony on the Village Green.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT
The idea was simple, but emotions were high as American Flags were planted around the Village Green, in a brief ceremony on March 20.
Jim Cragg, Past Commander of Ronald Reagan Post 283, said, “We’ve been posting flags around the entrance to the Palisades.”
He said that when people returned to the Palisades, the first thing they saw were the flags. “We wanted them to see a symbol of resiliency and national love before they saw their properties,” Cragg said.
This ceremony “is a symbolic gathering of group of heroes that either helped during the fire or are party of the recovery efforts,” Cragg said. “It shows the unity of the groups leading our city’s recovery.”
The Los Angeles Police Department, Station 23 and 69 firefighters, the National Guard, representatives from FEMA, SBA, the Red Cross, L.A. Department of Water and Power, the Salvation Army, the Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC), private security companies, the American Legion and the L.A. Rams cheerleaders were among those participating.
Resident and newly appointed town’s Honorary Sheriff Sam Lagana said the Rams have been instrumental with providing recovery to the Palisades. Lagana is the stadium voice of the Rams and every time he has reached out to the organization, they’ve come through, including providing cheerleaders for the ceremony.
Colonel Brian Sawser is leading debris removal in Pacific Palisades. Photograph: RICH SCHMITT
PPCC President Sue Kohl spoke to the Army Corps of Engineer’s Col. Brian Sawser prior to the ceremony about debris removal from her lot. “You were fabulous,” Kohl said. “You called me, you texted me, and were so compassionate, especially since it was so emotional for me.”
Sawser said, “This [Palisades] will be different place in June and July. We only exist to solve complex problems – and this is a complex problem. We’re giving a 100 percent effort and want to give this community a head start to rebuilding.”
When the ceremony started, Cragg introduced each group and thanked them. “This has been a national effort.” Thanking the Corps and National Guard, he said, “This is the greatest victory for the Army on American soil.”
Each group individually planted the flag. A leader said a few words and then the flag was saluted. This was repeated with each group. There are now 15 American flags on the Village Green.
Cragg said, “This ceremony and the flags represent a group of heroes.”
Jim Cragg (left) stands at attention as Sam Lagana and three of the L.A. Rams cheerleaders participated in the ceremony.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT
While the ceremony was taking place on the Green, many Palisadians took the opportunity to attend a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) in the American Legion Hall on La Cruz. MARC was sponsored by the Emergency Network in Los Angeles from March 18 to 22.
About 20 agencies gave out supplies and emotional/mental support. An appointment was needed, and people were interviewed before being allowed in the main room. As one person said, the difference between a MARC and a disaster center, is at a center, information is given. At a MARC event items are given, such as gift cards. A similar event was held in Altadena.
(Left to right) Past Legion Commander Jim Cragg, Council President Sue Kohl, Sharon Kilbride, Sue Pascoe and Post Commander Joe Ramirez plant a flag for the community.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT
Jim Cragg is our local hero.
He has pumped life back into this community since the fire. By opening the American Legion to everyone, setting up disaster relief and helping other local businesses and organizations get back on their feet, he created an opportunity for hope and strength to thrive. He also created a space where people could gather, get support, bond and heal. There will never be enough words to express my gratitude for the lifeline that he has created for our community. In the darkest of times, Jim continues to make miracles happen for us all.
I never again want to see the Los Angeles Fire Department participating in a Palisades civic event until we have had a full accounting, apology and some sort of restitution for their unannounced lack of presence during the fire between 4 pm Tuesday, January 7- January 10 while our town burned down. Indeed, had they been manning the firebreaks on Sunset and later, wide Temescal Canyon and even later wider Potrero Canyon our town would have been saved. I know because I was there. They weren’t. Had they bothered telling us that they were abandoning the town sometime in the early afternoon of January 7 an untold amount of tragedy and loss would have been avoided as many of us would have had 4-7 hours to safely save our household treasures. I’m sure that when the records of their communications and locations during those fateful days are finally unsealed by force by local and national media the full truth of their inaction and cowardice will be unveiled and these ceremonies will be a complete embarrassment to all involved.