Trujillo Fire Station Dedication
Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen
November 12, 2005

Mr. Carlos Cordova Gomez General, commander of the Peruvian firefighters,   Mr. Octavio Rodriguez Burmenster Jefe III Comandancia Departamental de Trujillo and esteemed guests of Trujillo.

It is a tremendous honor to be here in Trujillo with you again to join you for the inauguration of your new fire station named after my state – the beautiful state of Washington. 
 
Although it has only been two years since I was here last, it seems like only yesterday.  During my last visit, we initiated our formal relationship of cooperation between the firefighters of Washington and their comrades in Trujillo. 

You showed us the tremendous needs you had and you shared with me your dream of building a new fire station.  Your enthusiasm was so infectious that you were able to convince us to also become supporters of your dream. 

When Mr. Grijalba and Mr. Rodriguez contacted my office this month with news of the completion of the fire station, it inspired me to witness it with my own eyes.  As I took the tour of the station this morning, I was moved with emotion to see your tremendous progress in a short amount of time.

What we see here today is a monument to the unyielding spirit of dedication, hard work, and cooperation by the people of Trujillo. It is also testimony to the tremendous leadership you have here in Trujillo among the fire fighters. 
 
I salute each and every one of you for believing that your dream was worth perusing and for being determined enough to see it become a reality.   Most of all, I thank your for sharing your dream with us.
 
In the history of nations, as well in all communities, there are milestones that demand formal attention. There are unique events that require a special ceremony to celebrate their significance.  Without question, today is one such milestone.

However, this morning not only marks an important day in the history of this beautiful and historic province of Trujillo, but also for the state of Washington.  The new station, which bears the name of the state of Washington, has served to unite firefighters from Washington State with their comrades in Trujillo. 
 
You came together with the hope of making one community safer and two distinct communities separated by thousands of miles one in spirit.  There is no greater bond than the bond of friendship. 

Today we stand together with you again as true friends to enjoy the fruits of a heroic effort to build a fire station and, most importantly, a safer community.  I can think of no greater reward than a job well done for such a noble cause.

This fire station however, is much more than bricks and concrete. It is a living structure - the pulsating heartbeat of Trujillo.  This is a place where dedicated men and women give of their time in the face of hardship and danger to save and protect the lives of the approximately three hundred thousand of citizens it is designed to reach.

When the new station’s siren sounds its call for help, it is here that brave firefighters and emergency workers come alive with the life saving activity that we too often take for granted.  After every call to action these same fire fighters return here to this special place, that they claim as their second home, only to prepare and train to do it again, and again - each time facing untold dangers to protect your family and friends. 
 
Equally deserving of credit for this achievement are the families and loved ones of the firefighters of Trujillo.  You too have played a crucial role in building this dream by supporting the commitment of these brave men and women.

Without your support and encouragement, it would not have been possible for them to commit themselves to fulfill their duties to your community.  
In closing, I would like to again thank you for honoring us today by of naming this beautiful fire station after the state of Washington.

I would like to ask my delegation from the state of Washington to join me here to make a special announcement.    Commander Rodriguez and all the firefighters of Trujillo, we are proud to announce that as a part of our commitment to this friendship between regions and our shared dream, we are here today to donate a fire truck to your new station.

I would also like to give you a Washington State flag that has flown over our state capital building and a state seal for you to proudly display in your new fire station.  We hope that this small token of cooperation will again lead to even greater bonds of friendship and allow us to build upon our dream together.     

Thank you.