THANK YOU REDONDO BEACH

Thank You Redondo Beach!

Having served the City of Redondo Beach for 41 years, my amazing husband, Fire Captain Robert “Bobby” Herrera has retired from the Redondo Beach Fire Department. And although no fanfare or grandeur, he leaves public service having proudly served the city, staunchly protecting its residents and infrastructure, and blessed to have been a part of a brotherhood most of us can’t imagine.

Often as he and I stroll the streets of our South Redondo Beach neighborhood his thoughts turn to those who have been saved and also to those who were not, despite the valiant efforts of his department. And while looking for a home, there were numerous we could not consider because of his memories of circumstances that occurred there, having been dispatched in the darkest hours to offer aid.

But those memories aside, I hear stories of the successes; lives saved, homes and businesses spared, children encouraged and a community protected 24/7. I have learned about a brotherhood bond that cannot be broken and I realize as we continue our lives together in this next chapter, that I can never replace those bonds, nor would I want to. I value the men and women who have served with him, trained with him, protected him, cried with him and supported him. These are debts that can never be repaid.

I am confident there are many in Redondo Beach whose lives have been touched by my husband and his fellow firefighters. And although these firefighter’s names may not be known their passion to protect and willingness to risk everything to save another should resonate in our community as a privilege of living in Redondo Beach. I hope you will join me, in honor of my husband’s service, and thank a firefighter for all that they do. And when you do, tell them Bobby sent you.

Marcelle McCullough-Herrera