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LAFDPSO
03-06-2005, 04:27 PM
Leticia Reyes graduated from Franklin High School in 2001 and attended Pasadena City College. It was there that she took classes intended to help reach her goal of becoming a Los Angeles City Firefighter.

Reyes also worked as a enthusiastic and well respected after-school assistant at Toland Way Elementary School, where she is beloved by the many students she mentored.

Yes, Leticia was well in pursuit of her dream career. Chances are that some of you encountered this bright, fit and capable young lady in recent tests. She had a goal and a razor sharp focus on attaining it.

All that seemed stifled -- or so she thought, when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Though Reyes' doctor has now given her only two months to live, she continuously expressed only one wish -- to be an L.A. City Firefighter.

Yesterday the 23-year-old Reyes was made an honorary Firefighter in a surprise ceremony at her home in Highland Park, California. About 150 people, including more than a dozen Los Angeles Firefighters, attended the ceremony.

Reyes was presented with an official LAFD brush coat with her name embroidered on it. She also received gifts that included six tickets to Disneyland, and an LAFD Proclamation naming her an honorary Firefighter.

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The next time I hear any of you complain about how tough you have it in pursuit of a Fire Service career, I'll be more than happy to point you towards this thread. Despite incalculable challenge, Leticia has never once complained or been bitter.

You and I can learn a lot from Leticia.

Carpe Diem!

Brian

CALFFBOU
03-07-2005, 03:59 PM
Thanks Brian...These stories are always great.

-Bou

Shiloh
03-07-2005, 11:19 PM
Whoa... The day before you posted this, *I* was thinking about what I'd do if I was diagnosed with cancer and only had a few months to live. One of the things I'd regret more than anything else (okay, THE thing) is not being able to be a firefighter and I was wondering if a department would ever make a dying person an honorary firefighter. Then you post this. My heart goes out to Leticia and although it won't take the place of her having her career in the fire department, I'm sure it means as much to her as it would to me in that situation and I'm happy to hear the LA fire department did that for her. I'm so sorry to hear about her illness and will keep her in my thoughts. Thank you for posting this!