In honor of Veterans and Military Families Month, the County of Los Angeles Fire Department (LACoFD) is spotlighting Department personnel who are active and retired United States Armed Force members.
These team members work to support the LACoFD in daily emergency and business operations.
The LACoFD is proud to honor brave and courageous individuals who served this country with great integrity and continue to serve County of Los Angeles communities with the same values.
With the great appreciation, the LACoFD recognizes the selfless actions of each of the following individuals.
Fire Captain Veronica Lile
Captain Lile began her four years of service with the United States Navy in January 1995 when she began training in Chicago, Illinois. That Summer, she was assigned to Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily, Italy for two years as well as deployed to the Persian Gulf aboard the United States Naval Ship Sirius for the remainder of active duty. Shortly after, Captain Lile was assigned to the Seabee Unit at Port Hueneme in California for active reserves for three years. She not only has an honorable discharge, but earned seven medals: National Defense Service, Second Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service, Sharpshooter, Good Conduct, Armed Forces Expeditionary, Navy Unit Commendation, and two Sea Service Deployment.
Fire Fighter Specialist (FFS) John Tran
At 19 years old, FFS Tran joined the United States Air Force as a firefighter for four years. He was stationed in Aviano, Italy for two years and concluded his remaining time in Little Rock, Arkansas. “My family and majority of my siblings are from Vietnam and came to the United States in the 1970s. I wanted to serve the United States as a way of showing my family’s appreciation to the county,” said FFS Tran. “I chose the Air Force specifically for firefighting to further my career with the LACoFD, my dream department.” During his service, he completed two tours in the Middle East before being honorably discharged.
Douglas Morrison, Department Photographer
In April 2002, Douglas enlisted in the United States Navy as a Photographer’s Mate and was honorably discharged in November 2007, as a Mass Communications Specialist. During his service he was stationed with Strike Fighter Squadron 31 in Virginia, deployed to the Persian Gulf aboard the United States Ship Abraham Lincoln, and his final assignment at Naval Station Everett in Washington. “My experience in the Navy has taught me valuable skills in teamwork, communication, and leadership that I have been able to apply in my professional endeavors,” said Douglas. “I am proud of my service and grateful for the opportunities it provided me to serve my country and develop my skills.”
John Gonzales, Intermediate-Typist Clerk
Retired in 2017 as a Master Sergeant with a Combat Action Badge, John has devoted 29 years of active federal service in the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Ord in California, Fort Lee in Virginia, Fort Hood in Texas, Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, and lastly Fort Irwin in California where he retired. During his service, he was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait for three years. “It has been a pleasure serve this county with pride and honor over the past few decades.”
