Thursday, May 31, 2007

Mayor's State of the City Address (City of Rialto June 7th, 2007 $25.00 a head RSVP 909-820-2519) The City must be in great shape?

Mayor's State of the City Address

rialto seal The City of Rialto is hosting its Annual Mayor's State of the City Address on Thursday, June 7, 2007, 5:30 PM at the Tom Sawyer Pool Patio 1423 S. Riverside Ave. The Mayor's State of the City Address will be a video production that will highlight some of the major development projects in the City. The cost is: $25.00 per person. Please RSVP to (909) 820-2519.

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BS Ranch Perspective:

Let me get this straight, This is a Public Address of the State of the City, and they are Charging a $25.00 fee to be able to sit in on the Mayor's State of the City's Address. I guess this must be common practice because I have not heard of the city holding a State of the City Address Before. Either that or the City is in such a Bad State that they need to charge a Fee to have people sit in on this affair to see just how bad the City of Rialto is.

The Mayor of Rialto is being Pimped out at $25.00 per person to hear just how good the City is, but I hope that no one looks behind the Curtain, if they have to charge a $25.00 Fee to hear the State of the City!! I kind of wonder if this is a performance or if the State is the real thing?

After all we pay to see a Performance, We Get to see Elected Officials For Free Every two weeks on Television, and when it comes to the most Important Speech that the Mayor of Rialto Delivers there is a Door charge of $25.00, that makes it a Performance. Remember this a PERFORMANCE is something that is written that doesn't necessary have to be the truth about the Actual State of The City of Rialto. I would believe the Politician more if there wasn't any door charge, and they didn't try to make money as this Says Quite a Bit About The State of Rialto!!

BS Ranch

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Armored Vehicle Bulks Up Rebuilding Rialto Police Department (Press Enterprise)

Armored vehicle bulks up rebuilding Rialto police department

10:00 PM PDT on Monday, May 28, 2007
By MASSIEL LADRÓN DE GUEVARA
The Press-Enterprise

Rialto officials say they want to send a clear message to the city's Police Department: you are here to stay and we support you.

The Rialto City Council's latest effort to convey the message came in the form of an 8-ton, diesel-powered, bullet-resistant BearCat armored vehicle.

The $215,000 vehicle is the first of two components, said Chief Mark Kling. In July, the department will receive a large communications vehicle that will be deployed with the BearCat, he said.

Story continues below
Greg Vojtko / The Press-Enterprise
Rialto Police officers look over a new BearCat armored vehicle. They will use it to serve high-risk search warrants and for the SWAT team. The City Council sees the purchase as a sign of support.

"Planning and preparation are the two keys to success and we are acquiring the tools necessary in the event a catastrophe occurs," Kling said.

The communications vehicle will be equipped with televisions, fax machines, telephones and other such equipment, Kling said.

The council's agreement to purchase the vehicles speaks volumes of its commitment to the department, Kling said.

"We are getting the type of equipment and support that we need to rebuild our police department into the premier department it was," he said.

The council voted 4-1 in September 2005 to disband the Police Department because of what the members said were chronic problems. The council had planned to contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department for Rialto's law enforcement.

In March 2006 the City Council ended its attempt to disband the department because the effort seemed hopelessly stalled and it appeared the issue could be taken out of their hands and put to a citywide vote.

Councilwoman Winnie Hanson said once the decision was made to retain the department, the council's support has been complete.

"The council and Police Department went through a greatly painful situation and we are now moving forward with an enthusiastic push of support," Hanson said. "If we are going to have a police department we don't want them to be understaffed or under-equipped."

Sgt. Jim Kurkoske said the BearCat has done wonders for the morale of the SWAT team, to which the vehicle is assigned.

"Knowing the council approved a $215,000 piece of equipment shows they and the city have confidence in our department and that we will be around," Kurkoske said.

The SWAT team has been using an armored vehicle donated by a bank several years ago, Chief Kling said.

The Colton Police Department purchased an armored vehicle in 2006 with asset-seizure funds for about $200,000. The Palm Springs department purchased a Lenco BearCat armored vehicle for a little more than $200,000 the same year.

Although the Colton Police Department has promised to lend its armored vehicle to neighboring agencies, Kling said it benefits Rialto residents and the department to have its own vehicle.

The vehicle was purchased with developmental impact fees, said Kirby Warner, assistant city administrator.

Reach Massiel Ladrón De Guevara at 909-806-3054 or mdeguevara@PE.com

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BS Ranch Perspective:

I was looking at this machine that the City Council spent some $215,000.00 dollars for and the Title of this story that the City Council is working to Rebuild the Rialto Police Department, after the whole Vote Against the Police Department, and the Contract with the San Bernardino Sheriff Department.  I Look at the Parking lot at the Sidney A. Jones Building and I notice one thing, that back in 1990 the Police Department was out grown the Facilities that they were in. When I had started I was Changing into my Uniform in the Hallway, blocked only by a dress blind so that the woman of the department that were walking by didn't get to see if we were Tight White Underwear or The Boxer Shorts when it came to our underwear, back then the Boxer Brief were not made just yet!

Well, we tried back then to get a deal passed to get a grant passed by the voters to get a new station financed however We were unable to get it passed. So in stead of getting a new station they realized that they could afford a modular, or temporary Office building, and it has been there along side the station since 1990. The Investigations Modular Office Space came in 1991 or 1992. Now, they are moving another modular Building into the parking lot against the modular building known as Rialto Investigations.

When is the City Council really going to wake up and say that they are really going to take care of the Police Department, and take them out of the Almost 20 year Apartment Buildings (known as Modular, Temporary Office Space) and Build them that Police Station that they were planning to build back in 1990, Which by now will have to be re designed since the department will have to allow for a City that will have a Population of close to 200,000 thousand people in it when they get all the land that they are due and the Airport Renaissance is all done, then they will need that new station.

The SWAT Truck, Will Save lives, but they will not handle calls for service with that piece of equipment. If you were to go to each officer and ask them if they wanted a SWAT BearCat Armored Vehicle or a brand new Police Station let me see which one that they will answer!!

Lets Take Care of the Patrol Officers. The Swat Team could have continued to have used that Armored Vehicle that they had already that the hardly used. Please Don't get me wrong, That Bear Cat is nice, but there are only about 12 to 20 Officer's that will be able to drive that truck. The rest of the Officers will only be able to drive Patrol Cars. There are only two or three that are allowed to Drive the Motor Home Command Post Vehicle that they purchased some six years ago. I have seen the Command Post (Motor Home) Used by City Hall more then by the Police department. But that doesn't mean that they don't use it on call outs at night and the like. I am just saying that they are not using their spending sense wisely, they need to do something to get a police station that everyone is housed in, Give the City some pride.

BS Ranch

Cracks in 210 Planning Lead to Shaky Finish (Daily Bulletin 052807)

Cracks in 210 planning lead to shaky finish

Somehow, a major interstate that has been on the drawing board for 60 years now won't be really finished when it's finished, according to San Bernardino County's transportation agency.

Come to find out, when the 210 Freeway fully opens later this year, and the extension to Highway 30 in San Bernardino is finally finished (at a still undetermined date), access to and from another major artery running through the region will be severely limited - making the 210 less than the lifesaver for commuters it should have been.

But don't fret. San Bernardino Associated Governments, or Sanbag, reassures the public that the opening of the long-awaited interstate won't be delayed. You can count on that.

It's just that two major connectors between I-210 and Interstate 215, which would have stood to make the lives of motorists that much easier because of uninterrupted travel, won't be ready for yet another 3 to four years.

A geologist who was working in the area after the contract to build the freeway was awarded back in late 1999 or early 2000 just happened to notice a major problem that could, er, radically shake up freeway construction plans.

Seems two

presumably well-known earthquake faults, the San Andreas and San Jacinto, which have been in existence since long before the freeway was a sparkle in some engineer's eyes, might someday pose the danger of a fault rupture to any large piece of concrete in their vicinity.

"If the geologist hadn't seen it," said Sanbag's director of freeway construction, Darren Kettle, "(the freeway) might have been built like that."

So now, the agency has set about redesigning the elevated "flyovers" to compensate.

Thank heaven for accidents of mercy. But we would have thought that that, er, connection would have been made before then.

"The San Andreas Fault and San Jacinto Fault being so close to the freeway and the nature of the soils means those elevated columns would need to be designed to withstand the seismic problem that could be produced by those two faults," Kettle said.

Such major brainstorms can be awesome, when they come with the requisite amount of foresight. But in this case, it's more like shock, and after-shock.

While we're glad that extra precautions are being taken now that the potential danger has been noted, how is it that no one took into account the existence of the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults long before now - at least, in time to mitigate for the 210's final grand opening?

As it is, when the 210 officially opens later this fall, it will not be possible to go directly from the 210 east to the 215 Freeway south, nor will it be possible to go from the northbound 215 to the westbound 210.

Get ready for the delays
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BS Ranch Perspective:

Let me see, and Engineer that works for any of these planning outfits make a great deal of money, and they cannot figure out that they are in a seismic active area as the Inland Empire? The Inland Empire has only had an Earthquake every year in some cases two, and there has been a major quake, or what was considered to be a major quake within every 7 years.

Reading this article about the "Cracks" in the development, has raised a few questions of my own. Such as, if this has been in the planning stages for the last Sixty (60) Years then some one, did what? Planned it the Sixty years ago, and then they closed the file on it, and dusted it off when they started to decide to start the Construction on it.

Now that they are 89% done with the last portion of the 210 Extension that will complete stretch form Valencia to Redlands, it is now  that they come to the conclusions that they are going to be late finishing the Freeway?  This is so puzzling since they had so many opportunities to see the problems with the construction that they had already done and it is now that they find that it there is going to be delays, Even after the announcements that they were going to open it at the end of June, beginning of August!!

I am not happy, Especially being one that lives on the Detour that sends the Traffic Right in front of my house, until the figure out what they are going to do to finish this job.

SANBAG has stated that there will not be a delay, will you believe them? or the reality of what really happens??

BS Ranch

Monday, May 28, 2007

Memorial Day Events


Memorial Day events

Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., will celebrate Memorial Day at 10:30 a.m., Monday in the cemetery's amphitheater. National colors will be presented by the West Coast Thunder Color Guard of the Inland Empire Harley-Davidson Owners Group. Featured speaker will be Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Mike Vanderwood, who recently returned from deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Information and directions: (951) 653-8417.

American Legion Post 155 and Veterans of Foreign War Post 6476 will co-host a ceremony from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Monday at Hermosa Cemetery, 900 N. Meridian Ave., Colton. It will include posting a POW flag on an empty chair to symbolize soldiers missing in action or being held as prisoners of war. VFW Post 6476 will perform a 21-gun salute. Speakers include Veterans Administration representative Charlotte Babar. Information: (909) 422-9922.

Five veterans' organizations - American Legion posts 772, 262 and 497, Veterans of Foreign War Post 6563 and Amvets Post 1240 - will host ceremonies at 11 a.m., Monday at Green Acres Memorial Park and Cemetery, 11715 Cedar Ave., Bloomington. VFW Post 6563 will host a luncheon afterward at the post, 9190 Fontana Ave., Fontana. Information: (909) 823-2600.

Rialto's fifth annual Memorial Day Tribute will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday at the Rialto Park Cemetery, 200 S. Willow Ave. Information: Rialto city clerk, (909) 820-2519.

Veterans of Foreign War Post 8737 will host a short ceremony at 3 p.m., Monday to be followed by an open house with refreshments at the post, 2018 Foothill Blvd., San Bernardino. Information: (909) 889-2204.

A short ceremony will be hosted by Veterans of Foreign War Post 1744 at 10 a.m., Monday at Mountain View Cemetery, 570 E. Highland Ave., San Bernardino. An open house from 1 to 4 p.m. will follow at the post headquarters, 1541 W. 24th St., San Bernardino. Information: (909) 887-0511.

American Legion Post 777 will host a ceremony at 11 a.m., Monday in front of its headquarters, 194 E. 40th St., San Bernardino, followed by an open house throughout the afternoon. Information: (909) 882-3110.

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BS Ranch Perspective:

There isn't much to say there, except that you should have a look to see at what is going on and then see what is going on. With the war on terror, it would be the best thing to go out and see to it that you have a speical prayer on the Military Hero's Fighting for our Freedom in the wor on terror. God Bless

BS Ranch


Sunday, May 27, 2007

Officers Salute Redlands Man Who Died in Iraq (Redlands Daily Facts 052607)

Officers salute Redlands man who died in Iraq
C.L. LOPEZ, Staff Writer
Redlands Daily Facts
As the honor guard carried the flag-draped casket bearing the body of Army Spc. William "Tony" Farrar Jr., more than 100 police officers stood in formation, their right hands held to their heads in salute.

Farrar Jr. never got the chance to follow in the footsteps of his father, Rialto's Police Capt. William "Tony" Farrar Sr. The 20-year-old Redlands soldier was killed May 11 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee as he drove through Al Iskandariyah, Iraq. But he came close - he was a member of the military police.

On Friday, Rialto's finest gathered at First Missionary Baptist Church of Redlands to honor the fallen son of their captain.

Sgt. Tim Lane, who has known the family for 17 years, said it was important for the Rialto police officers to be there to support the captain and his family.

"His son is a military policeman and he was a part of our law enforcement family," Lane said. "Everybody who knew Tony is proud of his choice."

Ken, one of Farrar Jr.'s brothers, is a Marine.

'Tony was prepared for everything'

At the church, more than 100 police officers gathered in a room near the packed sanctuary and watched the service on large screens. Images from Farrar Jr.'s life flashed on giant screens during a slide show. The service was a celebration of Farrar Jr.'s faith and patriotism. His uncle Scott Breckley talked about his nephew's life and his decision to serve his country.

"Tony's decision to be a soldier was not a spur-of-the-moment decision," he said. "Tony was prepared for everything and Tony passed every test the Army threw at him except one."

That test came when Farrar Jr. stepped onto a scale and was found to be too light.

"Tony was not going to let a few pounds stand between him and his goal," Breckley said.

Thirteen days later, the would-be soldier drank a gallon of water and made weight.

The young soldier's decision to believe in God was also celebrated.

Christine Rodriguez recalled how Farrar Jr. came to faith in July 2005.

"He boldly said, RI do not believe in God,'" she recalled. After she shared her testimony with him that day and he listened to the sermon at an evening service, she said he chose to believe in God.

'We watched them grow up'

Outside the church, members of the Patriot Guard waited for the casket to be carried out to the hearse. The group, made up of bikers and veterans, attends the funerals of soldiers to honor them and their families. Bill Bogart said he and about 25 bikers rode in from Palm Springs with Farrar Jr.'s mother, Sally Bors, a friend of his. Bogart has ridden on previous Patriot Guard missions, but he said this was the first time it has been for someone he knew.

"She (Bors) is a very special part of our community," he said. "It's amazing to see how one young person (Tony) can touch so many lives."

About 500 people attended the service and most of them were in the funeral procession that wove through the Redlands neighborhoods, not far from where Farrar Jr. lived with his family for a year.

People paused to see a seemingly endless procession of motorcycles, police cars with the red, white and blue lights flashing and fire trucks following the white hearse. One family stood at a street corner waving American flags and others simply bowed their heads in prayer when they saw the white hearse carrying the fallen Redlands soldier. Motorcycle officers stopped traffic at all the intersections and later, along the freeway, for the procession to make its way to Riverside National Cemetery.

There, members of the Patriot Guard held American flags and lined both sides of the walkway and police officers and firefighters saluted the fallen soldier.

Farrar Sr. and his wife, Cathy, sat with their twin daughters, Christina and Samantha, who each held small American flags.

Moments later, Farrar Sr. and Bors each tearfully accepted a folded American flag, Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

At the end of the service, some police officers struggled to find words to talk about the young soldier.

Tim Roy, now with the Riverside Police Department, previously worked with Farrar Sr.

"We have known both kids (Tony and his brother Ken) since they we so small and we watched them grow up," he said. "It shows you how much respect everyone has for them - especially with both boys serving their country."

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Rialto Police Captain's Son Laid to Rest (Daily Bulletin 052607)

Rialto police captain's son laid to rest
By Robert Rogers, Staff Writer
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
REDLANDS - Reserved and self-effacing, Spc. William "Tony" Farrar Jr. was never comfortable with outpourings of attention.

But this was different. Farrar, 20, was killed in combat in Iraq on May 11.

His body lay in a coffin draped by an American flag in the Worship Hall of First Missionary Baptist Church on Friday.

His spirit was above, 400 mourners were told, and he was smiling. It was possibly a mild, lips-compressed expression familiar from recent pictures.

"Today we honor a hero, a hero to his country, a hero to his faith," said Scott Breckley, Farrar's uncle. Breckley read a few lines from his Bible while standing over Farrar's coffin, then completed the hour-long service.

"This is not the end, this is Tony's beginning."

In a solemn service dabbed by rays of humor and hope, mourners packed the small Redlands church to send off a local soldier whose achieved dream of joining the military was all too brief.

Farrar, the son of a Rialto police captain and a military policeman in his own right, was killed when a roadside bomb detonated near the Humvee he was driving about 30 miles south of Baghdad.

Farrar was assigned to the 127th Military Police Company, 709th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade out of Darmstadt, Germany.

He enlisted in the Army in September 2005 soon after graduating from Palm Springs High School.

Farrar was deployed to Iraq in November the following year.

The packed funeral procession was joined by dozens of uniformed Rialto police officers and firefighters. Farrar's father, Tony Sr., 46, is a 19-year veteran of the Rialto department.

The soldier's younger brother, 18-year-old Ken, also came to the lectern to speak about his big brother.

His voice at times cracking, Ken, who joined the Marines in December and could soon find himself in Iraq, said he knew the severity of the conflict but couldn't fathom that tragedy would strike down his "hero."

"He may have been small," Ken Farrar said of his wiry brother, who was temporarily denied admission to the Army for being underweight. "But I'd just like to be half the man he was."

Christine Rodriguez, a childhood friend of Farrar's, moved to the podium to tell of the day at church camp two years ago when Farrar accepted God in his life.

"He's in heaven right now because he decided to give his heart to God that day," Rodriguez said, crying.

Speakers also humorously spoke about Farrar's near obsession with video games and ravenous appetite, despite his slight build.

Amid the tragedy, the mood was at once solemn, proud and hopeful. During a still-photo montage set to music were quotes from historical leaders including Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Edmund Burke and President Ronald Reagan.

A procession of cars, police and fire vehicles and about 60 motorcycles ridden by Patriot Guard Riders, a nationwide group that escorts military funerals, took Farrar's body to Riverside National Cemetery, where he was buried. Farrar was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for valor posthumously for his service to the nation.

The services were intimate and personal, with the short list of speakers sharply focused on the fallen young man, his sacrifice and his faith.

"This is beautiful," said Darin Good, a resident who watched the procession from across the street. "This is the way to honor our heroes."

Burying One of The Nation's Finest (SB Sun 052607) Rialto Police Caption's Son Remembered

Burying one of the nation's finest
Rialto police captain's son remembered
Robert Rogers, Staff Writer
San Bernardino County Sun


Photo Gallery: 05/25: Soldier Killed in Iraq

REDLANDS - Reserved and self-effacing, Spc. William "Tony" Farrar Jr. was never comfortable with outpourings of attention.

But this was different. Farrar, 20, was killed in combat in Iraq on May 11.

His body lay in a coffin draped by an American flag in the Worship Hall of First Missionary Baptist Church on Friday.

His spirit was above, 400 mourners were told, and he was smiling. It was possibly a mild, lips-compressed expression familiar from recent pictures.

"Today we honor a hero, a hero to his country, a hero to his faith," said Scott Breckley, Farrar's uncle. Breckley read a few lines from his Bible while standing over Farrar's coffin, then completed the hour-long service.

"This is not the end, this is Tony's beginning."

In a solemn service dabbed by rays of humor and hope, mourners packed the small Redlands church to send off a local soldier whose achieved dream of joining the military was all too brief.

Farrar, the son of a Rialto police captain and a military policeman in his own right, was killed when a roadside bomb detonated near the Humvee he was driving about 30 miles south of Baghdad.

Farrar was assigned to the 127th Military Police Company, 709th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade out of Darmstadt, Germany.

He enlisted in the Army in September 2005 soon after graduating from Palm Springs High School.

Farrar was deployed to Iraq in November the following year.

The packed funeral procession was joined by dozens of uniformed Rialto police officers and firefighters. Farrar's father, Tony Sr., 46, is a 19-year veteran of the Rialto department.

The soldier's younger brother, 18-year-old Ken, also came to the lectern to speak about his big brother.

His voice at times cracking, Ken, who joined the Marines in December and could soon find himself in Iraq, said he knew the severity of the conflict but couldn't fathom that tragedy would strike down his "hero."

"He may have been small," Ken Farrar said of his wiry brother, who was temporarily denied admission to the Army for being underweight. "But I'd just like to be half the man he was."

Christine Rodriguez, a childhood friend of Farrar's, moved to the podium to tell of the day at church camp two years ago when Farrar accepted God into his life.

"He's in heaven right now because he decided to give his heart to God that day," Rodriguez said, crying.

Speakers also humorously spoke about Farrar's near obsession with video games and ravenous appetite, despite his slight build.

Amid the tragedy, the mood was at once solemn, proud and hopeful. A still-photo montage set to music included quotes from historical leaders such as Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Edmund Burke and President Ronald Reagan.

A procession of cars, police and fire vehicles and about 60 motorcycles ridden by Patriot Guard Riders, a nationwide group that escorts military funerals, took Farrar's body to Riverside National Cemetery, where he was buried.

Farrar was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for valor posthumously for his service to the nation.

The services were intimate and personal, with the short list of speakers sharply focused on the fallen young man, his sacrifice and his faith.

"This is beautiful," said Darin Good, a resident who watched the procession from across the street. "This is the way to honor our heroes."

Contact writer Robert Rogers at (909) 386-3855 or via e-mail at robert.rogers@sbsun.com.

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BS Ranch Perspective:

I Remember when I first was to meet Tony Farrar Jr. and his Brother Kenny. It was way back in 1990, when they were just little tot's. Tony Sr. and I were assigned as Explorer Coordinator's and we both were getting ready to expand the membership of the Explorer Post. We had some applicants, but we had to do some Back Round Investigations and I went to The Farrar's House to Pick Tony Sr. up to get started on the Back Round Investigations.

I met Tony Jr. and Kenny when they were getting their breakfast in order by their Father, and boy they had engergy, they could have kept a go cart going all day on very little effort due to the energy that those little boys had back then. The energy was endless until Tony Sr. Punched a VCR Tape of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory into the VCR and pressed play it was like their power butten had been neutralized and the power was drained.

Both Tony Jr. and Kenny were stuck to the screen while Gene Wilder started singing and the Umpa Lumpa's were belting out tunes. It was rather cute. They both grew to be fine young men. It was hard to say good by to that little boy, at that funeral that day.

Tony, Cathy, and family I just want to say that you are in my prayers, and my thoughts. I have lost many friends, family, in my life time, and well I have even survived death, it isn't easy doing that either, But god Bless You, and I want to say that you are in my prayers through this hard time right now.

God Bless You,

BS Ranch




Friday, May 25, 2007

Three Names Are Added To Veterans Memorail Wall (Redlands Daily Facts 052507)

Three names are added to Veterans Memorial Wall
COLLEEN MENSCHING, Staff Writer
Redlands Daily Facts
REDLANDS - Thursday night saw the somber addition of three local names to the Veterans Memorial Wall at Jennie Davis Park.

The wall lists all the city's war fatalities since the Spanish-American War. The names of Vernon R. Widner, Hannah Leah McKinney and William "Tony" Farrar, Jr., are newly etched into an ivory-colored tile commemorating their deaths in service in Iraq.

"On Veterans Day I made a promise that we would have these up by Memorial Day," Councilman Mick Gallagher said.

"What this is is a fulfilled commitment," said Sam Irwin, commander of American Legion Post 106.

Widner, 34, with the Army's 101st Airborne Division, was the first Redlands soldier killed in the war in Iraq. In late 2005, he was in a military Humvee targeted by someone driving a civilian vehicle. The Humvee flipped when hit. Wider and a fellow soldier were killed.

Married and the father of two boys, Widner was the son of Emmanuel and Sandra Widner of Redlands.

About year later, Army Pfc. McKinney was on her way home from a party at Fort Taji. She fell from the truck and was crushed under its wheels. The driver was suspected of being under the influence at the time of the accident.

McKinney, 20, had a husband and a son. Todd was just 2 years old at the time of his mother's death.

And two weeks ago today, Farrar, a member of the military police, was killed when an improvised explosive device blew up near his vehicle.

His memorial service was held this afternoon at First Missionary Baptist Church in Redlands.

Irwin said the organizations that maintain the wall, including his post and Post 650, are considering making space for a fourth Redlands name. Navy yeoman Melissa Rose Barnes, 27, died on Sept. 11, 2001, when a plane struck the Pentagon building.

"We've got to find an appropriate place to put her," said Irwin, noting that the country wasn't actually at war when Barnes was killed.

Ennis Dixon, commander of Post 650 and Ron "Gator" Riley, who will succeed her as commander in June, were on hand Thursday and will join Gallagher, Irwin and others Monday at a Memorial Day Ceremony at Hillside Memorial Park. Not all post members will be able to join them.

"We have some ` that are still serving," Dixon said.

The memorial service at Hillside begins at 11 a.m. and is open to the public. Post 650 will host a reception for al attendees that afternoon. The post is at 1132 N. Church St. For more information call Post 650 at 792-6783.

E-mail staff Writer Colleen Mensching at cmensching@redlandsdailyfacts.com

Monday, May 21, 2007

Bomb Kills Member of 127th Military Police (Stars & Strips051707)

Bomb kills member of 127th Military Police


By Matt Millham, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Thursday, May 17, 2007


Pfc. William A. Farrar Jr., a member of the 127th Military Police Company based in Darmstadt, Germany, was killed by a makeshift bomb Friday in Iskandariyah, Iraq. He was 20 years old.

Farrar, the son of San Bernadino County police Capt. Tony Farrar, was the eldest of three sons. He joined the military in September 2005 after graduating from high school and deployed to Iraq in November 2006, according to the San Bernadino County Sun newspaper. It was his first tour in Iraq.

Farrar was riding in a vehicle when he was killed, according to a Defense Department news release. An article in the San Bernadino Sun identified the vehicle as a Humvee.

"We were all real proud of him and his decision to join the armed forces and serve the country," Sgt. Tim Lane, a Rialto, Calif., police department spokesman, told The Associated Press. "We've lost a part of our law enforcement family."

"It's what he wanted to do," Farrar's father told the Sun. "There are jobs people do because they choose to do it ... somebody's got to want to do it. As a parent you just give them the support they need; what else is there to do?"

Farrar's brother Kenny is a Marine, and his other brother, Nic, is a college student, according to the Sun.

Soldier Was Known For Gentle Ways (San Bernardino Sun 051607) / Redlands Man Dies in Iraq (Redlands Daily Facts)

Soldier was known for gentle ways
Police captain's son grew up liking military
Robert Rogers, Staff Writer

Photo Gallery: Local soldier killed in Iraq

He was the gentle one, the son whose slight frame and calm demeanor belied his ambition to be a soldier.

He was deployed to Iraq in November. He wrote jaunty e-mails to his family regularly, the prose livened with a joy that seemed incongruous with his full-time job patrolling a deadly war zone. His heart was swept away by a woman he met in Germany.

"He even liked the military food," said his father, Tony Farrar, a Rialto police captain and, on this day, a broken-hearted man straining to keep his upper lip stiff.

But what 20-year-old Army Pfc. William A. "Tony" Farrar Jr. liked to write about recently was coming home.

In an e-mail last week, Tony Jr. wrote to his father about taking some R&R in August and attending a family gathering in Wisconsin.

But on Friday, Tony Jr. was killed when a roadside bomb detonated near the Humvee he was driving through the desert of Al Iskandariyah, about 30 miles south of Baghdad. The blast from the IED, or improvised explosive device, penetrated the Humvee's armor but spared

other soldiers riding with Farrar.

Sitting in the living room of their Redlands home on a gray Tuesday morning, Tony Jr.'s father and stepmother talked with calm solemnity about fateful decisions, duty to country and the sense of invulnerability shattered when military personnel knocked on their door and delivered the news no parent wants to hear.

A modest-sized American flag swayed above their porch, suddenly woven with more meaning than ever before, Farrar said.

"We've never experienced anything like this," said Farrar, a 19-year veteran of the Rialto Police Department. "At first, it all seemed kind of untrue. It's really sunk in now."

Tony Jr. joined the military in September 2005 after graduating from Palm Springs High School. Deployed to Iraq in November, it was his first tour.

The police captain has another son, Kenny, 18, who joined the Marines in December and could be deployed to the war zone.

Farrar, 46, recalled Tony Jr. as a child, growing up the oldest in a family steeped in law enforcement and military pride.

"Him and his brother wanted to be soldiers since they were little," he said. "They loved Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for a while, then it was toy weapons, plastic swords and guns. But as he got older, I think he looked at it as a stepping stone, an opportunity" for either a military career or one in law enforcement.

Farrar paused, a bit of moisture leaking from his eyes.

"It was just the first step for him," Farrar said.

Cathy Farrar, Tony Jr.'s stepmother for almost all his life, described how the first time he tried to enlist he was rejected for being too light for his height.

"He was about eight pounds off," Cathy remembered, smiling beneath saddened eyes. "He was very slightly built, and very soft and gentle, especially with his (younger) sisters."

Farrar didn't push his eldest son into military service, but was proud of his decision. Farrar knows it's sometimes inevitable for the parents of a fallen soldier to second-guess the past.

"It's what he wanted to do," Farrar said. "There are jobs people do because they choose to do it ... somebody's got to want to do it. As a parent you just give them the support they need, what else is there to do?"

Tony Jr.'s body was flown to Delaware on Tuesday, Farrar said. From there, he will be flown to Ontario. Funeral arrangements were pending, but will probably be next week.

The Farrars sat in their hardwood-floored living room, where they were last week when military personnel walked up the driveway on a mild evening and told them their son was dead.

To Cathy, the last few days have shredded the veil of safety she enjoyed over the years. Family members have been deployed and returned. Thousands of times her husband has returned unscathed after nights of patrolling Rialto's streets.

But Tony Jr. will never walk through the door again.

"You never really realize this could take place until Army personnel are standing at your front door," Farrar said.

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Redlands man dies in Iraq

C.L. LOPEZ , Staff Writer

Article Launched: 05/15/2007 04:12:43 PM PDT

REDLANDS - Rialto police Capt. William "Tony" Farrar Sr. didn't think there was anything significant when he saw two men in Army uniforms on Friday night, but when they approached the door of his Redlands home, he realized something was wrong.

"Once they got to my door in full dress uniform, it was pretty apparent the message was not going to be something I was going to like," he said.

It wasn't.

His 20-year-old son William "Tony" Farrar Jr. was killed in Iraq May 11 when an improvised explosive device was detonated near his vehicle in Al Iskandariyah. He was assigned to the 127th Military Police Company, 709th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade out of Darmstadt, Germany. The Palm Springs High School graduate had been in the Army since September 2005 and had been in Iraq since November 2006. He lived in Redlands for a year after high school graduation.

"The military was a good choice for him to find out what he wanted to do," said his stepmother Cathy Farrar.

He had talked of following in his father's footsteps with a career in law enforcement. In his last e-mail to his father from Iraq early last week his father said he Farrar Jr. was not sure whether he would return to Redlands or

Germany, where he was stationed, when he went on leave in August.

He was in good spirits, he said.

"He was kind of quiet and was the more soft spoken of the three boys," Farrar Sr. said.

His brother Kenny is a Marine and his brother Nic attends Crafton Hills College where he is studying to be a paramedic. He also has 10-year-old twin sisters, Christina and Samantha. Cathy looks back fondly on the time he spent with the girls. Although he was older, he would still play games with them and draw cartoons for them.

The family has received support from the community since they learned of Farrar Jr.'s death.

Farrar Sr. said the family has received flowers, cards and meals. He has heard from colleagues he has not spoken to in two decades and from people he has never met.

The Rialto Police Department, where Farrar Sr. is second in command, has been shocked by the news, said Chief Mark Kling.

"We are shaken by this tragic news of the loss of the captain's son," Kling said. "He is a remarkable man."

Kling said the department plans to support the family in whatever way they can. Funeral services are pending and Kling expects a large Rialto Police Department presence at the funeral. The department is in the planning stages, but will likely call on other cities' police departments to help them so they can attend the funeral.

Farrar Sr. also credited the Army casualty assistance officer for his support in helping the family through the difficult time by helping with funeral arrangements.

The family is awaiting news that his body has returned to the United States. When his body is shipped to Ontario International Airport, the family will be waiting for him.

"It is going to be really tough, but these are the next steps to get through this," Farrar Sr. said.

His funeral service will be at First Missionary Baptist Church of Redlands, where he was a member. Graveside services will be at Riverside National Cemetery.

Farrar Jr. is the third Redlands soldier to be killed in Iraq. Army Specialist Vernon R. Widner, who was the first, died on Nov. 17, 2005, from injuries when his Humvee was rammed and flipped over. In September 2006, Hannah Leah McKinny was killed Sept. 4, 2006, when she was crossing the road and struck by another soldier who was driving a Humvee.

E-mail Staff Writer C.L. Lopez at clopez@redlandsdailyfacts.com

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BS Ranch Persective:

Tony, Cathy, Kenny, Nick, Samantha, & Christina,

My thoughts and Prayers are with you during this difficult time, I am so sorry for your loss. I can remember Tony Jr. and him Loving Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory when he was only four years old. I am just sorry that I didn't get to see them grow up, throught the years. I know that we started off as friends when Tony started @ Rialto, and we were Exploerer Advisors, I don't know what happend to cause our friendship to fade like it did. I was always sorry that it did. God bless you, I will continue to keep you in my prayers thorough this difficult time.

God Bless,

Buck & Family