CALTRANS NEWS
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Emotional Ceremony Honors California and Country-Wide Highway Deaths
By Erin Gallup
On April 8 the west steps of California’s capitol were packed with spectators, media, dignitaries and more than 100 family members of the 170 Caltrans employees killed in the line of service since 1924. A giant LED screen allowed those in the back of hundreds of spectators to see the emotional ceremony unfold.
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Caltrans displayed the wreckage from this pickup truck after an 18-wheeler struck it on I-80 one month before the Workers Memorial. The driver who fell asleep at the wheel and struck the Caltrans truck died in the incident, but fortunately the Caltrans operator was wearing his seat belt and survived with minor injuries. |
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At the Workers Memorial April 8, the Caltrans Honor Guard dedicated three traffic cones bearing the names of our 2007 losses: Djuan Bush, Matthew White and John Knabenbauer. One additional cone was dedicated to represent all fallen highway workers across the nation. |
Deidre Wright sang a powerful rendition of Amazing Grace as the Caltrans Honor Guard, donning new uniforms, dedicated three traffic cones with the names Djuan Bush, Matthew White and John Knabenbauer inscribed on black-banners on the cones. The additional cones completed a 45-foot wide caution sign comprised of 170 orange traffic cones – one for each fallen highway worker.
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Several relatives of perished highway workers took their family member’s Workers Memorial orange cone home as a keepsake of the touching event. |
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Family members of fallen Caltrans employee, Djuan Bush, look at the National Work Zone Memorial at the State Capitol April 8. The California memorial represented the first National Work Zone Awareness Week Kick-Off event to be held outside of the Washington, D.C. area. |
As part of the first California-held National Work Zone Awareness Week Kick-Off, which has always been held only in the Washington D.C. area, a fourth cone was dedicated this year to represent all United States highway workers who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country’s transportation infrastructure.
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Jeanette Knabenbauer expresses emotion for the loss of her husband, John, on his brother’s shoulder at the 2008 Workers Memorial at the State Capitol April 8. |
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Caltrans Director Will Kempton and Business, Transportation and Housing Agency Secretary Dale Bonner stand beside a wreath dedicated to those killed working on our nation’s highway system at the April 8 memorial at the State Capitol. |
Business, Transportation and Housing Agency Secretary Dale Bonner, Caltrans Director Will Kempton, Assemblyman Pedro Nava and even the wife of fallen Caltrans employee, Daniel Broeske, were among those who spoke at the Sacramento ceremony. After Reverend Cannon James Richardson said a prayer for those lost and their loved ones, three dozen doves flew into the blue skies and around the capitol.
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United State Army Reserve Staff Sergeant Bill Tubbs played the bagpipes at the beginning of the April 8 Caltrans Workers Memorial on the west steps of the California State Capitol, and later bugled “Taps” during the wreath presentation. |
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Three dozen doves were released at this year’s Workers Memorial after culmination of a prayer for those killed working on our nation’s roads and their loved ones left behind. |
To see the ceremony, visit http://onramp/