The Never Forget Memorial Relay was held Sunday in Aptos Village Park. The eighth annual event featured 33 teams of four from police and fire departments, California State Parks, the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, the county Probation Department and others whose teams ran one 4-mile leg through the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park.
The goal is to raise funds for the Santa Cruz County Fallen Officers Foundation, said organizer Henry Montes.
“We’re here today to recognize those that gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Montes said. “We’re here to join together as a family and remember the work that has been done and to spend time together — time we don’t always find.”
The day included a huge attendance of families and friends who enjoyed a barbecue lunch put on by area firefighters, a raffle, games, a bounce house, DJ music and more.
“It feels great. I’ve been doing this since about a year after it started,” said Assistant District Attorney with the DA’s Office Eileen Jao. “It’s just a great thing how the thing has grown.”
The event falls on Workers Memorial Day, created by the American Civil Liberties Union in 1989, and is also known as International Workers’ Memorial Day. It serves as a day of remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled, injured, or made unwell and takes place around the world on April 28.
Before the relay a list of 22 names of fallen first responders was read aloud by former news reporter, Phil Gomez, starting with Watsonville Police Officer John Wesley Alford who died on Feb. 7, 1897.
Watsonville Police sent a team to the event including Robert Strong, David Gonzalez, Juan Castillo, Marcos Rios, Adrian Alvarez, and Aaron Chavarria of the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team.
“Taps” was played by retired Santa Cruz Police officer Patrick Bayani, followed by an acapella version of “The Star Spangled Banner” by Stephanie Schaeffer.
Watsonville Police detective Robert Strong said he’s taken part in the relay the last few years.
“It’s such a great event and a good way to show our support,” he said.
WPD officer Alvarez, who ran in the relay, said, “It’s such a good way to show our support.”
I’m greatful for the men and women who serve us in law enforement.
A very difficult, often a thankless job….